A DAIRY worker has been fined after rubbish he paid someone to remove was dumped near Bridg-water.

Martin Durrant, 48, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £95 costs and a £20 victim surcharge after paying a man £30 to remove waste which was later found fly-tipped at Rooks Castle near Goathurst.

At Taunton Magistrates’ Courts today (July 7), Durrant, of High Street, Wellington, admitted not taking reasonable measures to ensure the transfer of household waste to an authorised person.

A Somerset Waste Partnership spokesman said: “Between the fly-tippers and the court, Durrant is £265 worse off; yet the waste could have been taken to a recycling centre for free.

“Everyone has a duty of care to ensure their waste is properly taken by licensed traders to a place that can legally receive the materials.

“Simple steps by Somerset residents can cut off the supply of material being fly-tipped and avoid them ending up on a duty-of-care charge in court.

“Never pay cash for waste removal; get a receipt with full contact details, and note the registration number and description of vehicles and people taking away your waste.

“Ask any trader taking waste – from builders to man-and-van operators – for their waste carrier licence and where the refuse will go.”

The prosecution was brought as part of renewed efforts to drive down fly-tipping.

Solicitor Nigel Osborne, representing Sedgemoor District Council, said: “Fly-tipping is a serious offence.

“Its blight is not only visual but can often have serious health and safety implications, and the costs of dealing with it are substantial.”

Durrant told the court: "I am sorry it happened. I paid a bloke £30 to take my rubbish away."

For details of recycling sites visit somersetwaste.gov.uk