A man has been fined £1,000 in connection with fly-tipping in Gravesham.

Magistrates heard how in November last year Ricky Hutchinson, from Sittingbourne, responded to a social media plea from a vulnerable man for someone to help him dispose of some rubbish.

Using the false name of 'Rick Smith', 28-year-old Hutchinson – who was aware of the man's vulnerability – arranged collection of the waste and was paid £80.

The following morning the rubbish, including personal items and correspondence, was found fly-tipped in a country lane a short distance from the man's home.

Officers from the Gravesham Borough Council Environmental Enforcement Team spoke to the man, who was said to be devastated.

As a result of the team's investigation and the help of police, ‘Rick Smith’ was identified as Hutchinson.

He failed to respond to requests to provide information or be interviewed and was prosecuted under Section 110 Environment Act 1995 – failing to comply with a requirement to provide information or assist an officer authorised to investigate environmental crime.

"We will not tolerate the illegal dumping of rubbish in our borough, and those guilty of committing this crime will be fined or prosecuted."

Hutchinson was summonsed to appear at Medway Magistrates' Court on June 11 but failed to appear and was found guilty in his absence.

He was fined £1,000, ordered to pay £479 in costs and a victim surcharge of £100.

Gravesham's cabinet member for community and leisure Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox said: “The council has been cracking down on fly-tipping and illegal waste carriers in Gravesham.

"We will not tolerate the illegal dumping of rubbish in our borough, and those guilty of committing this crime will be fined or prosecuted.

"Mr Hutchinson took advantage of the gentleman’s vulnerability that tried to get his waste collected responsibly.

"Mr Hutchinson subsequently dumped it illegally and that is totally unacceptable.”

Only businesses registered to carry waste can collect rubbish.

People should use a registered waste carrier and ask for their waste carrier number or book a bulky waste collection service from the council.

Checks can be made on the Environment Agency website to see if a trader is registered.

If a trader, or someone that has offered to dispose of rubbish illegally dumps it, the person whose rubbish it is could face a £400 fine as well as whoever illegally disposed of it.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesham