A WOMAN has reported a company which illegally dumped her rubbish after she paid £80 for them to get rid of her rubbish.

The Colchester resident made contact with Frank Belgrove, chairman of Alresford Parish Council, when she spotted some of her belongings in a Gazette article about fly-tippers.

Dozens of items alongside utility bills were found in a garbage heap in Cut Throat Lane, Alresford, leading councillors back to the owners.

Mr Belgrove suspected rogue contractors were to blame rather than the individuals whose names were on the bills.

The chairman said he was sympathetic towards those who have been deceived.

He said: “The lady had paid someone to take it away and assumed they were legitimate.

“She was charged £80. For them to dump it into the countryside is outrageous.

“But unfortunately if you instruct someone without a waste carrier licence and they dispose of it illegally, you’re liable for it as well.”

Residents have a duty of care to ensure if any waste is removed from their property by a third party, the third party must be a registered waste carrier.

The householder can be prosecuted for failing to use a registered waste carrier.

The rubbish has since been reported to Essex Police and Tendring Council.

Mr Belgrove added: “It’s not going to be straightforward as the house clearance firm is likely to deny it. It could lead to a court case.

“People must be so careful about who they let carry out their rubbish.”

To find a registered waste carrier click here.