A MAN has been fined a total of almost £7,000 after a joint council investigation into fly tipping.

Southend and Rochford District Council teamed up to investigate a huge dump of waste which was found in Church Road, Hockley.

Following the investigation, Mr G Simmons, of Lower Road, Hullbridge was charged with the fly tip.

He was charged with failing under duty of care legislation to provide the required waste transfer notes.

Simmons was summonsed to court however failed to attend Basildon Magistrates Court on January 22.

The trial went ahead in Simmons’ absence, where he was found guilty.

Simmons was fined £5,000 for the dump found in Hockley on January 30 2017.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170 and a massive £1,727.50 in costs for the clear up.

Following the trial, Tony Cox, councillor for waste at Southend Council said Simmons’ prosecution was a ‘great result’ for both councils involved in the investigation.

He said: “A lot of evidence was found relating to two addresses in our borough, so officers started a joint fly-tipping investigation with colleagues at Rochford.

“Although we were unable to find enough evidence or witnesses to prosecute for the act of fly-tipping, we were able to prosecute under duty of care and failure to provide waste transfer notes.

“This is a great result and a clear reminder to residents that they have a legal ‘duty of care’ to ensure that their waste is only given to people who are registered waste carriers.

“They should ask for evidence that the company they are using have the correct documentation.”

A Southend Council spokesman reminded residents that fly tipping is a very serious offence and to tackle it, courts have the power to imprison offenders or hand out substantial fines of up to £50,000.

Marcus Hotten, assistant director of environmental services at Rochford District Council, said: “I hope that this prosecution serves as a warning to anyone who may consider disposing of waste illegally in our district, that it is not tolerated.

“It demonstrates that we take the dumping of illegal waste extremely seriously, and our officers will carry out a thorough investigation wherever evidence is found.

“This case is yet another great example of partnership working and I would like to thank our colleagues at Southend Council who helped us bring this case to a conclusion, and the hard work that our own staff have personally put into getting this outcome.”