A COMPANY director and his business have been told to pay £5,400 in fines and costs after household waste was dumped at a Hampshire beauty spot.

Darwish Robleh and D S Builders (South) Ltd were taken to court by Winchester City Council following a fly-tipping incident at woodland at Chillandham Lane in Itchen Abbas.

Robleh of Lingdale, Chilworth, Southampton, was convicted of an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The fly-tipping incident occurred after he breached his duty of care by failing to secure the transfer of waste to an authorised person for disposal, Basingstoke magistrates were told.

After being found guilty Robleh was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £150 towards the clean-up bill, plus £500 costs and a victim surcharge of £100.

At the same hearing D S Builders pleaded guilty to one offence under the act and was convicted of two others.

The court heard that the company failed to ensure the waste had been properly disposed of, failed to ensure it had been transferred to an authorised person for disposal and failed to provide a written description of the waste.

D S Builders was fined a total of £2,900 as well as being to pay £650 in fines and costs, plus a victim surcharge of £100.

Speaking after the case Cllr Frank Pearson, the city council’s portfolio holder for environment, health and wellbeing, said: “This latest prosecution shows the council will take firm action in cases of fly-tipping where the evidence supports it.

“Fly-tipping is irresponsible and spoils the environment for everyone.

“I hope this sends a clear message that the council will not tolerate this type of activity anywhere in the district.

“We will investigate incidents of fly-tipping and pursue those responsible whenever we can.”