Man fined £1,500 after waste found on farmer's land (From Watford Observer)

Bushey man fined £1,500 at St Albans Magistrates' Court

11:00am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in News

The rubbish was found by Hertsmere Council’s environment officers dumped in the field off Silver Hill, Shenley

A Bushey man has been fined £1,500 after building waste was found dumped in a farmer’s field.

Philip Carey, of Sandy Lane Caravan Site, had earlier pleaded not guilty to four counts of "failing in his duty of care as a broker for controlled waste."

The charges relate to Mr Carey not keeping records of the whereabouts of waste removed from a house in Borehamwood.

St Albans Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday how, in August, the 27-year-old was paid £180 by a builder to remove the materials from a house being renovated in Borehamwood.

Two days later the rubbish was found by Hertsmere Council’s environment officers dumped in the field off Silver Hill, Shenley.

A letter among the rubble linked the waste to the address in Borehamwood from which police officers were able to trace Carey.

During an interview at Borehamwood Police Station, Carey told officers he had passed the job to a person from the Cherry Trees Caravan Site in Hatfield, though they were never traced.

Magistrates found Carey guilty in his absence after hearing evidence from council officers and the builder.

As well as the fine, he was ordered to pay £700 costs, a £15 victim surcharge and £200 compensation to the farmer.