A MAN caught dumping a fridge freezer has been banned from driving in an attempt to stop him flytipping again.

Magistrates disqualified Andrew Albert, of Stirling Place, Pitsea, from getting behind the wheel for 56 days and ordered him to pay more than £2,600.

On Wednesday, February 24, he used his vehicle to dump the kitchen appliance on land at Gower Chase, Laindon.

The 46-year-old appeared at Southend Magistrates Court for sentencing after being found guilty of breaching Section 33(5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Magistrates said the flytipping was a “cynical” and “deliberate” act and one which could not have been committed without the vehicle in question - which was why they disqualified him from driving.

Terri Sargent, councillor for environment, welcomed the sentence.

She said: “This case is a success for the council and highlights that we will prosecute wherever possible when evidence exists that an individual or company has failed to apply their duty of care. Whether a householder or business, everyone has a duty to make sure that all their waste goes to a legal, licensed waste carrier.

“This includes bulky items and household waste as well as works carried out at home by contractors.”

Albert was fined £600, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £1,944. He has 28 days to pay the full amount.

Basildon Council introduced on-the-spot fines of £200 in September for anyone caught dumping bulky household items.

The authority still aims to prosecute rogue traders responsible for large piles of flytipped waste.

Fines of up to £50,000 can be handed out, and flytippers can also be jailed for up to 12 months and end up with a criminal record.

Basildon Council runs a special collection service, which can be booked in the advance, for residents wanting to dispose of bulky waste.

Visit basildon.gov.uk/specialcollections for more information.

You can also check whether a waste removal contractor is properly licensed by the Environment Agency at environment-agency.gov.uk