An Ellesmere Port man has been hit ordered to pay £1,232 for a fly-tipping offence.

William Hunt, 35, was prosecuted by Cheshire West and Chester Council after waste, traced back to his address in Sutton Way, was found illegally dumped in April 2023.

Mr Hunt was ordered to pay after failing to comply with section 34 of The Environmental Protection Act 1990, which compels individuals to properly dispose of household waste.

The litter in question, which included cat litter, food packaging, glass bottles, cardboard packaging, green waste, and a double mattress with bedding, was investigated by the Council’s Public Protection team.

Despite receiving two invitations for interview by the council officers, Mr Hunt failed to attend on both occasions and also ignored a fixed penalty notice issued to him.

When Mr Hunt failed to appear in court on June 19, 2024, an arrest warrant not backed for bail was issued.

The waste was found in Sutton Way, Ellesmere Port in April 2023  (Image: Cheshire West and Chester Council)

He was subsequently arrested on June 22 and, in accordance with his warrant, attended court on July 17, 2024, pleading guilty to the offence.

Chester Magistrates’ Court then imposed fines and costs totalling £1,232.

Councillor Christine Warner, cabinet member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, voiced her concern over the impact of fly-tipping on local services.

She said: "We all have a duty to ensure our waste is disposed of properly and in this case the resident was prosecuted for breaching his duty of care."

She warned residents they could also face prosecution if they handed their rubbish to someone not authorised to handle it.

Ms Warner said: "You could also be liable to prosecution, if you hand your waste over to someone who is not licensed to dispose of waste and who then dumps it illegally.

"Always check if the person to whom you’re handing your waste has an appropriate licence.

"Please help us tackle this problem and report inconsiderate fly-tippers, who still think they can dispose of rubbish wherever they want causing problems for residents and draining Council services."

The council has encouraged residents to report any instances of illegal waste disposal through their website, available 24 hours a day.