A TRADESMAN has been stung with more than £1,000 in a fine and costs after he allowed waste to be dumped by “a man and a van”.

Following a spate of fly tipping, Hart District Council successfully prosecuted the tradesman for allowing the transfer of waste to an unlicensed waste carrier.

The incident occurred on December 4 last year when a tradesman was working at a property in Yateley.

A ‘man and van’ knocked at the door and offered to take the waste for cash, which the tradesman agreed to. No checks were done on the van driver and no records were kept. The waste was then found deposited at Gravel Hill car park, Yateley Common.

As the tradesman had no paperwork or proof that the waste was to be disposed of correctly, he himself faced the charges.

Aldershot magistrates ordered him to pay £1090, including a £500 fine, a victim surcharge, additional cost of the clear up and the full legal costs of the case.

Councillor Jonathan Glen, Portfolio holder for Environment, Hart District Council, said: “Sadly for the man in question he did not do the proper checks when using this ‘man with a van’ service. We would like to reinforce the message to tradesmen and members of the public that they need to be vigilant when using these services. Please remember to request sight of the waste carrier’s licence before employing them. Failure to do so could make you liable for the waste and you will be charged if the waste is dumped.”

The tradesman was charged under Section 34 (1)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This was the first prosecution by Hart under the joint working arrangement for legal services with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.