Two fly-tippers from Hertfordshire have been fined a combined total of more than £7,000, after dumping rubbish in Bedfordshire.

Martin Gregory of Parkfield in Markyate, was prosecuted in his absence for a breach of Section 110 of the Environmental Act 1995, after Central Bedfordshire Council brought forward legal action.

He was summoned for failing to provide information regarding the stated sub-contracted work, and received a fine of £3,000, as well as being directed to cover expenses amounting to £945, and pay a victim surcharge of £384, totalling to £4,329.

Following reports of a fly-tip in December last year on a grassy area adjacent to Woburn Road in Marston Moretaine, with the waste containing substantial glass panels bearing identifiable store markings.

The Comet: Both men were fined following a Central Bedfordshire Council investigation.Both men were fined following a Central Bedfordshire Council investigation. (Image: Central Bedfordshire Council)

During the investigation it was discovered that work had been sub-contracted several times, and was traced back to a company in Markyate.

Gregory, a company director, stated that he had sub-contracted the work further and would take full responsibility if issued with a fixed penalty notice.

The council claims to have requested further information about who he had sub-contracted to, but he refused to provide further information and failed to attend two scheduled interviews under caution.

Another individual was prosecuted for the same offence, following the discovery of fly-tipped waste - equivalent to the size of a van - on private property at Sundon Road in Harlington.

Central Bedfordshire's investigation traced the source to an address in Hemel Hempstead connected to a decorating contract. On 2 separate occasions, the individual failed to appear at requested interviews.

The court imposed a fine of £2,000, ordered to contribute £659 towards the costs and a victim surcharge of £384, with the total amount payable totalling £3,043.