An Ely man has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work after he was convicted of illegally dumping waste in the countryside.

Cameron Fordham, 19, of High Barns, pleased guilty to fly tipping and not being a registered carrier of waste at Cambridge Magistrates Court on Thursday (April 3).

He was sentenced to a Community Order, with a requirement to carry out unpaid work, and ordered to pay South Cambridgeshire District Council’s costs of £480 and a victim surcharge of £60.

Mr Fordham blocked a bridleway off Gransden Road, in Caxton, after he dumped three large builder’s bags of waste.

A tip off from a member of the public was investigated by South Cambridgeshire District Council enforcement officers who uncovered evidence to take action.

The waste had been passed on to Mr Fordham by a firm who had been paid to clear a Cambridge property. The company failed to check if Mr Fordham was registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier.

The owner of the company who passed the waste on to Mr Fordham was issued a caution for a duty of care offence by South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Cllr Mick Martin, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “We always take action against fly tippers wherever possible as dumped rubbish is a blight on our landscape which costs thousands of pounds each year to clear up.

“Fly tipping frustrates people immensely and I’m sure local people will be pleased this person has been brought to book.”

To report waste that has been fly tipped, log on to www.scambs.gov.uk and click on the ‘report it’ button. You can also call 03450 450 063.