A FLY-TIPPER was caught dumping rubbish in Sussex which he had been paid to dispose of in Kent.

Ashley Martin was given a 26 week suspended sentence after he tipped rubbish on three occasions in the Wealden district.

The 29-year-old dumped waste at Bells Yew Green near Wadhurst, in Partridge Lane, Wadhurst, and Eridge Road, Eridge near Crowborough.

He was a registered waste carrier with the Environment Agency and residents in Tunbridge Wells had paid him to clear the waste.

But instead of disposing of the waste properly Martin, from Lakeside, Tunbridge Wells, crossed the border into Sussex and left the rubbish on the roadside.

He tipped in laybys, gateways and sometimes left it blocking farmers' access to livestock.

Martin dumped items such as bags of rubbish, furniture and even a children's toy horse at the roadside.

Delays with Martin attending appointments with the council led to the case not being heard until April this year - despite the offences happening in 2012 and 2013.

Martin pleaded guilty to the three waste duty of care offences and has been sentenced at Eastbourne Magistrates' Court.

He was fined a total of £1,820, which included £320 compensation for the money he made moving the waste, an £80 victim surcharge and full costs of £1,599 were awarded to Wealden District Council.

Martin was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work in the next 12 months.

Councillor Ann Newton, cabinet member for environment protection, said: "Mr Martin has flagrantly abused the trust placed in him by his customers as well as desecrating our beautiful High Weald countryside.

"We continue to be on the alert for any fly-tipping taking place across the district and we will prosecute the wrong-doers who commit these crimes through the courts.”

The council urged people to always ask for a business card and make sure your waste clearer has a waste carrier's licence.

Always insist on a receipt for any waste removed and report any suspicious waste carrying activity in the area.

If you witness fly-tipping take details of any vehicles and persons involved and report this to Wealden’s Street Scene Team on 01892 602735 or street.scene@wealden.gov.uk.