Multiple people have been ordered to pay thousands of pounds to the council for hindering fly-tipping investigations.

Alan Hearn, from London, was given a fine of more than £1,170 after failing to provide contact details for a 'company that he paid' to remove a large amount of household waste in Scholars Rise, Strood.

He was set to appear in court on Wednesday, August 8, but failed to attend.

Another man, Miles Minall, of Aspdin Road, Northfleet was fined after waste including a bath, toilet and pan was dumped from a Ford Transit in Medhurst Gardens, Gravesend, in April last year.

The 31-year-old failed to respond to Medway Council's environmental enforcement team's invitation for an interview in November and a later notice in January.

He failed to attend a court summons on Monday, July 16, but the case was proved in his absence.

He was ordered to pay costs totalling £1,572.

"We will prosecute anyone found dumping waste in Medway..." - Cllr Jane Chitty, Medway Council

Danielle Jarvis, 34, of Goudhurst Road, also had to pay a total of £1,600 after she stored a large amount of waste including a fridge-freezer and chairs in a communal area at the front of a council property.

The Twydall woman ignored approaches from Medway Council in November about the 'improper disposal of waste' and was summonsed to Medway Magistrates' Court on Monday, July 23.

She failed to attend and the case was subsequently proved in her absence.

A man from Gillingham was also given a fine for dealing scrap metal without a license.

Richard Simons, of Middle Street, was caught unloading car batteries at a business on Medway City Estate by a environmental enforcement officer.

He was stopped on Anthony's Way where he admitted to not having a license.

He pleaded guilty to dealing scrap metal without a license at Medway Magistrates' Court on Monday, July 16, and had to pay costs totalling to £490.

Speaking about the offences, Cllr Jane Chitty, who covers enforcement at the council, said: “Everyone has a duty to keep Medway clean and tidy and to dispose of waste responsibly.

"I would like to thank the majority of people who act inside the law and have the required licences.

"We will prosecute anyone found dumping waste in Medway, as well as those who hinder fly-tipping investigations.

"I would also like to thank the public for their continued efforts to report fly-tipping incidents to us and for their help in identifying offenders.”