Basildon resident has been fined for flytipping a bulk builders bag full of waste to the rear of his own property.

Richard Fitz-Patrick, 29, of Hollands Walk, Basildon, appeared at Basildon Magistrates Court after leaving a builders bag full of paint tins, garden waste, wood and general waste on October 2 last year.

The first court hearing at Basildon Magistrates’ Court was on July 22 where he denied the offence.

This was then moved to trial hearing on October 16, where he was found guilty.

After hearing evidence from Mr Fitz-Patrick, the magistrate decided he was guilty of the offence.

He was sentenced to a conditional discharge for six months, £200 fine and £20 victim surcharge.

Chairman of Basildon Council’s neighbourhoods and public spaces committee David Harrison, said: “The council is committed to ensuring residents live in a clean and safe place. Pursuing flytipping prosecutions and getting positive results like this should serve as a deterrent.

“This shows that fines are to be taken seriously and that action will be taken if rules about flytipping are ignored.”