A MAN who was seen dumping waste on land in Burghclere has been ordered to pay fined more than £1,400. 

Carlton Pike, of Westfield Court, Thatcham, was prosecuted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council following an investigation into a fly-tipping incident on April 12, 2019, at Well Street, where he was seen dumping green waste, soil and plastic packaging from his van. 

At the hearing at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, October 18 magistrates fined Pike £640 and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £64, a contribution of £225 towards the investigation costs, a contribution of £225 towards the prosecution costs and clean-up costs of £250. He will also receive a criminal record for his actions.

READ MORE: Man charged in Basingstoke following assault near St Mary’s Church

The council’s cabinet member for partnerships Cllr Jenny Vaux said: “This demonstrates to anyone who thinks they can get away with dumping waste in quiet lanes, or anywhere else for that matter, that they risk punishment. Witness evidence was crucial to the success of this case and we are really grateful for this support. 

“As is so often the case, this trader was found on social media offering a service that was too good to be true. I would like to remind anyone looking for services to be very cautious and vigilant on who they employ.  We are all responsible for what happens to our waste. Wherever you might find someone to take waste away, we all still have the responsibility to check they are legitimate and that the waste will be disposed of lawfully.

"We know that fly-tipping is an issue that our communities feel very strongly about. Every conviction we achieve means there is a stronger deterrent for those who may be tempted to engage in this kind of criminal behaviour.”

SEE ALSO: Marks & Spencer set to close 67 stores - will Basingstoke be hit?

Offences of fly-tipping can carry a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both. Since May 2018 the council has convicted 48 individuals and companies for fly-tipping and related waste offences, demonstrating the borough council’s continued zero tolerance approach to this type of environmental crime.