A man who operated a tip run waste clearance service on Facebook has been successfully prosecuted by Wiltshire Council.

Ryan Clegg, of Whittle Avenue, pleaded guilty at Salisbury Magistrates to two counts of flytipping waste, one count of failing in his duty of care when managing controlled waste, and one of transporting controlled waste without a licence.

Wiltshire Council told the court that Clegg was paid £20 to collect a large quantity of waste as a result of the ‘cheap tip run’ adverts.

However, instead of lawfully disposing the waste at a commercial waste tip, Clegg transported and flytipped it at two places near Calne.

The magistrates ordered Clegg to pay fines and costs totalling £3,275 and he was given 140 hours community work, which could include litter picking and clearing waste.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, cabinet member for highways, transport and Waste said: “The severity of the punishment shows how seriously the courts take this issue.

“We strongly advise against using ‘man with a van’ rubbish clearance services without fully checking they are licensed to take waste away.

"If someone offers to take your waste away cheaply, it will probably end up being fly-tipped in our beautiful countryside.”

Originally published in the Swindon Advertiser

READ MORE: New statistics show “rise of organised criminal fly-tipping activity”