A Bures man has been fined for fly-tipping after he was paid to remove household waste.

John Vaughan, who previously lived at Claypits in Bures, was fined £1,600 and was ordered to pay court costs of £1,678.50 and a £120 victim surcharge after he admitted fly-tipping.

Colchester Magistrates Court heard on January 5 that Vaughan had dumped a large amount of rubbish in Borley Road, Belchamp Otten on April 22 last year.

The court heard that he had previously collected the rubbish from a house in Bures for payment.

In October, Vaughan attended Colchester Magistrates Court and denied fly-tipping.

He failed to turn up for the trial and magistrates found him guilty.

Councillor Wendy Schmitt, cabinet member for place at Braintree Council, said: "The issues of fly-tipping across the country costs between £35 and £40 million pounds a year, and with authorities under increasing financial pressure this is money that could be better spent delivering services for residents.

"Within the Braintree district we have seen a reduction in fly-tipping over the past few years and as a district we take a firm approach to dealing with the issue.

“As has been seen in this case, if you do decide to blight our district with your rubbish you could face a significant financial penalty."