A man who dumped bags of waste outside a recycling centre has been fined hundreds of pounds.

Three Rivers District Council took Emmanuel Akpeki of Berry Lane, Mill End to court after he was identified as the person responsible for leaving waste outside Rickmansworth Recycling Centre.

The council says Akpeki dumped a large quantity of black binbags of household waste outside the centre, out of hours, on June 9, July 25, and August 23 of this year.

Akpeki, who left the waste in front of a sign which aims to discourage flytipping, was identified via the registration of the vehicle used.

The council says Hertfordshire County Council, which runs the recycling centre, helped provide CCTV evidence.

Watford Observer: The council says the rubbish was dumped in front of this sign. Credit: Three Rivers District CouncilThe council says the rubbish was dumped in front of this sign. Credit: Three Rivers District Council

At St Albans Magistrates' Court on October 27, Akpeki pleaded guilty to flytipping and was fined £480 and ordered to pay £240 costs and a £48 surcharge.

Cllr Phil Williams, lead member for environmental services, climate change and sustainability in Three Rivers, said: "Fly tipping is an eyesore, and harmful to both the environment and the community in addition to costing councils to clear it.

"By continuing to prosecute, we hope to discourage others from fly tipping, and raise awareness of the issue. My thanks to all the hard work done by all the officers involved."