A 24-year-old man from Bushey has been fined £493 after pleading guilty to four charges of failing in his duty of care as a carrier of controlled waste. 

Levi Carey, a scrap metal collector from Sandy Lane, Bushey appeared at Watford Magistrates Court last Friday and pleaded guilty to four charges relating to failing to comply with the duty of care imposed on holders of controlled waste.

It was established he failed to take all reasonable measures to prevent the unlawful dumping of the waste by another person, he failed to prevent the escape of waste; he failed to ensure the waste was transferred only to an authorised person and he failed to provide a written description of the waste on transfer.

In October 2013, Mr Carey arranged with a builder at a site in Queens Road, Watford to remove mixed builders waste from the property. 

Six days later the waste was found in Hilfield Lane, Aldenham, where it temporarily blocked the road. 

The council's environmental health officers attended Hilfield Lane, having been notified of the fly-tipping offence by Hertfordshire Constabulary.  A document was found within the waste by a police officer which led the investigation to the Queens Road site and Levi Carey was traced through the mobile phone number he gave to the builder.

Mr Carey was fined £200 plus costs of £273 and a £20 victim surcharge. His scrap metal collectors' licence may now be reviewed as the offences are classed as relevant under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

Councillor Jean Heywood, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: "Fly-tipping is a serious crime for which a court can impose an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment.

"The council works in partnership with the local police to trace and apprehend offenders and this fine should send out a clear message that robust action will be taken."

PC Phil Tuck from Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "We were very pleased to track down Carey and bring him before the courts as fly-tipping is a serious offence and it is often difficult to find the person responsible. 

"I hope this case serves as a reminder to residents that fly-tipping not only blights a community but it can be dangerous if it causes an obstruction, as in this case."