FLY-TIPPING is being fought with success in the courts by one Hampshire council.

Winchester City Council is celebrating a 100 per cent success rate in fly-tip prosecutions.

So far those found guilty of fly-tipping have been ordered to pay a total of £26,606 in fines and costs.

In one case a 12 month custodial sentence was imposed.

The Neighbourhood Services team at the city council works in partnership with other authorities like Hampshire County Council to deter people from offending.

One successful prosecution was that of Mr Ashley Mooney who was taken to court in relation to fly-tipping offences discovered at Forest Lane in Wickham, Pigeon House Lane in Southwick, Dean Lane in Bishop’s Waltham and Chidden Lane in Hambledon between April and June 2016.

Mr Mooney pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. He was also made the subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order for a period of five years, prohibiting him from further fly-tipping across the whole of Hampshire.

Winchester City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety & Neighbourhood Services and chair of the Community Safety Partnership, councillor Lisa Griffiths, said: “The council has made a commitment to supporting the robust processes in place to tackle environmental crime by hiring a neighbourhood services enforcement officer – a role which actively pursues fly-tip perpetrators.

“Our record for success in prosecutions of this nature is impressive and is the direct result of the hard work and collaborative effort of our own staff, and our partners.

“Those who continue to engage in this anti-social activity can be assured that we will seek the harshest penalties from the courts.

“We are proud of our district and this inconsiderate behaviour blights the local environment – we are hoping to deter by example.“Residents of the district can help the City Council maintain the high success rate in fly-tip prosecution by following this advice.”