A BASINGSTOKE man has been ordered to pay a fine of £573 after pleading guilty to a fly-tipping offence at a recycling site in Basingstoke.

Avram Jurca, 53, of Stag Hill, was prosecuted after a witness saw a man depositing three metal framed chairs at the recycling site in Paddock Road.

Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court heard that on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 28, 2021, a member of the public observed a silver car parked immediately next to the recycling banks.

A male was seen to take three metal framed chairs from the boot of the car and deposit them on the ground next to the banks. The car then left the area.

With information provided by the witness, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council then traced Mr Jurca as the owner of the car.

At court Mr Jurca admitted the offence and Magistrates ordered him to pay a fine of £246 with £85 towards prosecution costs, £208 in clear-up costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

The borough council's cabinet member for regulatory services Cllr Hayley Eachus said: "Once again we are very grateful to a member of the public who witnessed this fly-tipping incident and agreed to support this prosecution.

"We know that fly-tipping is an issue that our communities feel very strongly about and public-spirited actions like this play a vital role in helping us to secure convictions. Every conviction we achieve means there is a stronger deterrent for those who may be tempted to engage in this kind of criminal behaviour.

"Fly-tipping will not be tolerated and as a result of Mr Jurca's actions that day, he now has a criminal record and a financial penalty to pay."

Offences of fly-tipping carry a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment at Crown Court. Since May 2018, the council has convicted 37 individuals and companies for fly-tipping and related waste offences.

Fly-tipping can be reported to the council by calling 01256 844 844 or by visiting www.basingstoke.gov.uk/flytipping.