A COUNCILLOR is urging people to check the credentials of their handymen, with one of his residents facing a fine of up to £5,000 after her possessions were flytipped by a man who helped her move.

Councillor Dave Harris is urging people to be careful after a disabled resident in his ward was warned she would have to pay a fine of up to £5,000 after her belongings were dumped in another county.

The woman, who prefers to remain anonymous, was moving from St Michael's estate in Shrub End, to Berechurch,  Colchester, into a downstairs flat due to her disability.

As she couldn’t drive, and had no way of moving on her own, the woman paid a man with a van to help her move her belongings into her new flat.

Having several bags of unwanted items and waste accumulated over the years left over from the move, the handyman offered to take it, as the woman would be unable to dispose of them herself.

After paying him cash in hand, the resident thought no more of the waste, enjoying life in her new flat.

This was short lived, when she received a letter through the door one morning, from Suffolk County Council.

The letter stated that bags of belongings with her name had been found in the East Suffolk, IP12 area.

The letter stated that she could be liable to pay a fine of up to £5,000, giving her a chance to explain how her rubbish had ended up there, before she was liable for the fine.

She has since had to defend herself and explain the case, however, Suffolk County Council wants details and evidence of her transaction with the handyman.

Since then, the resident has tried extensively to get into contact with him but says he has not returned her calls and texts.

Mr Harris, who is representing the woman, wants to spread awareness.

He said: “This is a word of warning for anyone who does something on the cheap.

"If you pay someone to do a job legally, and they should cut corners, you could be in the frame with a criminal record.”

All waste must be disposed of legally by a registered tradesman. If goods are flytipped, the person who commissioned work from an unregistered tradesman could also be liable.