AN Ipswich fly-tipper is �1,000 out of pocket today after shovelling waste off his trailer and dumping it at the town's waterfront.

AN Ipswich fly-tipper is �1,000 out of pocket today after shovelling waste off his trailer and dumping it at the town's waterfront.

Bury St Edmunds magistrates found Darren Townshend guilty of fly-tipping contrary to section 33(1)(a) and (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Townshend, of Hawthorn Drive, was prosecuted by Ipswich Borough Council after he was seen offloading the debris at the Shed 8 car park.

The 43-year-old was given a one-year community service order requiring him to carry out 100 hours work. He was also told to pay �1,000 towards the council's investigation and legal costs.

The court heard that around 7.05pm on August 6 last year, Townshend's blue Renault Laguna Estate, which had a trailer attached, was seen driving into the RCP Parking Ltd car park off Duke Street.

The driver got out of the Y registration vehicle and used a spade to move controlled waste, including bricks, wood and soil, from the trailer to part of the land being used for the car park.

Townshend was traced through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, after his registration number of the Renault Laguna was passed on to police

Magistrates were told that a further check with the Environment Agency showed its records indicated Townshend had no waste management licence or environmental permit in place authorising him to deposit controlled waste on any land.

IBC's portfolio holder for environmental services said she hoped Townshend's 100-hour community punishment would fit the crime.

Councillor Louise Gooch said: “I sincerely hope he has to lift and separate a little bit of rubbish during that time.

“We pride ourselves on having really good facilities for people to dispose of their waste safely and we expect our residents to use these facilities.

“If they don't we are going to make sure we take enforcement wherever it is possible.

“Flytipping is an eyesore. It's a nuisance for people who have to live with the consequences. People who do it, don't do it on their own doorstep. They do it on other people's.”