A man who failed to help with a fly-tipping investigation near North Baddesley has been ordered to pay more than £4,000.

Carter Smith, of Haweswater Close, Maybush, was invited to attend an interview under caution by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) after a large fly-tip on land at Castle Lane was found on November 11 last year.

The dumped waste included insulation boards, wooden pallets, plastic sheeting, carpet, metal strips, and other household items.

A covert camera at the location caught his vehicle being used and the registration plate was clearly visible.

Smith failed to attend the interview on December 19, 2022, but a person claiming to be a friend of his told officers that he wasn’t in the country at that time.

READ MORE: Southampton man's fly-tipping hell is finally over

Daily Echo:

The friend was asked to request Smith to contact the council, but he did not, and a notice requiring assistance with the investigation was issued on March 6 this year.

There was no response to the notice.

At Southampton Magistrates' Court on October 27, 2023, Smith was convicted in his absence of failing to comply with the notice.

Magistrates fined him £2,640 and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £1,056 and costs of £525. He was sentenced in his absence.

Councillor David Drew said: “This is a strong result and I hope people take notice of it.

“Failing to help us when we are investigating these matters will lead to a harsh sentence and one that is so easily avoidable.”

He added: “Ignoring these notices does not mean the incident will just go away, and I hope these substantial fines act as a deterrent for people.”