AN investigation into alleged fly-tipping has resulted in a fine after a litterbug’s address was found in the rubbish.

Halstead Town Council reported the fly-tipping of household waste by the recycling banks in Butler Road.

An address was found on a piece of cardboard among the waste.

Braintree Council tracked down the culprit, who admitted to dumping a cardboard box.

However, they denied dumping the other waste – made up of numerous big bags full of rubbish.

The council said it had to treat it as a littering offence because it could not prove the person had dumped the other rubbish.

They were handed a £100 fixed penalty notice, compared to a £400 fine for fly-tipping.

The offender has now paid the fine.

Council environment boss Wendy Schmitt said: “There is no excuse for littering or fly-tipping – it’s as simple as that.

“The message is always the same. If you drop litter or fly-tip, you can expect the council to take a robust approach.”

She said the council’s enforcement team would investigate all reports, and urged anyone who spots someone throwing litter from a car, fly-tipping or dropping litter to reporti them to the council online at braintree.gov.uk/littering or by calling 01376 552525.