Man fined after dumping furniture in communal bin

A sofa, mattress, table and bicycle were among the items stuffed into the communal bin area

A man has been fined nearly £2,000 after stuffing his unwanted furniture into a communal bin.

Radu Marton had dumped a rolled-up mattress, a bicycle, a sofa, a suitcase, chairs and a table near his flat in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in December.

A witness told Wiltshire Council he was the one responsible when an investigation was launched.

Councillor Martin Smith added: "There is really no excuse for fly-tipping, and that is why we are committed to holding any offenders accountable."

Marton, of Tollgate Road in Salisbury, was interviewed under caution and issued with a £1,000 fixed penalty notice (FPN).

When the fine went unpaid, Wiltshire Council contacted the courts.

Marton appeared at Salisbury Magistrates Court on 25 September and pleaded guilty to fly-tipping.

He was fined a total of £1,090, including costs and a victim surcharge.

Mr Smith added: "Mr Marton could have avoided the court action by paying his fixed penalty notice, but failed to do so, leaving us no choice but to take legal action.

"I'd like to thank the resident who assisted us and helped us bring this case to court. I encourage anyone who spots a fly-tip in the county, or someone disposing of their waste illegally, to report it to us using MyWilts.

"In doing so, they could receive a reward of up to £200 in gift vouchers if the information they provide leads to a successful prosecution, or a fixed penalty notice being paid."