A MAN has been handed a bill of more than £3,600 after his vehicle was used to illegally dump waste on an industrial estate.

A van registered to John Stokes was caught on CCTV arriving at the scene, dumping waste and quickly driving off with its back still raised.

The 25-year-old, of Crays Hill, admitted knowing his vehicle was being used to discard waste and was fined £600, ordered to pay £3,000 in costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Magistrates were shown footage of the van arriving in Manor Way, Rainham, close to the main railway line into London, to dump its contents.

The van is then seen leaving in a hurry with its back still raised as it was driven off.

A crime officer from the Environment Agency confirmed a large pile of waste had been dumped illegally in Manor Way.

And although investigators were not able to confirm which items of the waste found - which included a kitchen worktop - was from Stokes’s vehicle, and who the driver was, the prosecution was able to prove it was his vehicle because the number plate was caught in the footage.

The DVLA and Motor Insurers Bureau later confirmed the vehicle was registered and insured in Stokes’ name.

Daniel Kettridge, enforcement manager on the case for the Environment Agency, said: “John Stokes clearly didn’t care, knowing full well his actions were illegal and detrimental to the environment and community.

“The waste came from innocent members of the public, unaware the rubbish from home improvements was dumped illegally.

“Through the persistent intervention of our officers, the Environment Agency has seen a reduction in the number of offences linked to Operation Angola.

“The conviction of John Stokes serves as a reminder to people who exploit the waste industry that we are dedicated to pursuing law-breakers from the crime to the courtroom.”

The waste was dumped illegally on April 22, 2018.