A SOUTHAMPTON teenager has been told to pay thousands of pounds in fines and costs after illegally dumping parts of a bathroom.

Brad McKenner was also prosecuted for failing to have any of the licences needed to dispose of the waste lawfully.

McKenner did not possess a waste carrier or scrap metal licence, despite advertising both services.

Test Valley Borough Council launched an investigation after the waste was dumped in Roman Road, Chilworth, just before last Christmas.

Following a successful prosecution McKenner has been ordered to pay a total of £2,294 in fines and costs.

A council spokesperson said: "A resident was having their bathroom renovated last year when McKenner collected the waste, having advertised his services on Facebook.

"However, the council’s environmental services team were contacted about a fly-tip which included a bath, basin and broken tiles."

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates' Court McKenner, 19, of Dewent Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to fly-tipping, carrying waste without a licence, and not holding a scrap metal licence.

He was fined a total of £1,100 in total, with £1,084 costs and a £110 victim surcharge.

Cllr Alison Johnston, the council's portfolio holder for environment, said: "As a council we have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to fly-tipping.

"To anyone thinking of committing this selfish act, I hope that fact is, by now, plainly clear."

Referring to McKenner's failure to obtain the relevant licences she added: "He stated he did not know this was necessary but ignorance to the law is no excuse.

"It also highlights the need to check that your waste carrier is correctly licensed. You can do this via the Environment Agency website."