A Teynham woman is facing a clean-up bill after household rubbish was found dumped by a level crossing - including the kitchen sink.

Shana Dale, of Lower Road, was prosecuted by Swale Borough Council following an investigation into 12 sacks full of household, construction and demolition waste, as well as a kitchen sink and cardboard boxes, left near the intersection on Lower Road, Teynham, last December.

Officers investigating the incident were able to trace the waste back to Dale, and made several attempts to speak to her about the incident.

The council says at no time did she cooperate with the investigation, leaving them no option but to prosecute.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to failing in her duty of care to make sure household waste was disposed of by an authorised person at Medway Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard she had paid a man £50 to take her rubbish away, and that not all of it was hers.

She was fined £100 and ordered to pay £235 costs.

Cllr Nicholas Hampshire (Con), deputy cabinet member for safer families and communities at the council, said: “We take fly tipping incidents very seriously, and if you need to get rid of excess waste, it is your responsibility to make sure it is disposed of correctly, or you could end up in court.

“We want to catch those who are actually dumping the waste, because if they’ve done it once, it’s likely they’ll do it again.

“We are simply asking people to check who is taking their waste, make sure they’re licensed, and keep invoices and receipts so you can help us trace them if waste is dumped.”

To check whether someone is licensed to carry waste visit the Environment Agency website or call 03708 506506.

For more information about fly-tipping, visit www.swale.gov.uk/fly-tipping