A BASINGSTOKE man has been fined more than £1,700 after failing to check that his rubbish collection was carried out by an authorised person.

Joshua Mathurin, of Antrim Close, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, April 30 where he pleaded guilty to a failure in household duty of care.

The court heard that the 39-year-old employed 'persons unknown' to remove household waste items, including bags of rubbish, carpet, cardboard boxes, broken internal doors and other wood from his property in Abbey Road, Popley without taking reasonable measures to ensure it was taken by an authorised person.

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The items were found dumped in Ibworth Lane, Wootton St Lawrence, on Monday, July 3.

The waste was identified as belonging to Mathurin following an investigation by officers from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Magistrates ordered Mathurin to pay a fine of £480, a victim surcharge of £192 and council costs of £1,041.68 which includes the cost of clearing up the rubbish.

Cabinet member for residents’ services and housing Cllr Laura James said: “This case stresses the need for everyone to take all the necessary steps to ensure that waste disposal they arrange is carried out lawfully.

“Ensuring that make the correct checks and use legitimate waste disposal services will help to reduce the risk of items being fly-tipped. It will also significantly reduce the risk of them receiving a fine and a criminal record.”