A Surrey man who paid a rogue trader has been hit in the pocket by a Hampshire court after his waste was dumped by a roadside near Four Marks.

Freddie Loveridge has been ordered to pay £730 in fines, costs and charges after waste he paid to be removed from his home near Woking was found in a fly-tip on the A31.

Loveridge, of Brunner Court, Ottershaw, admitted to Basingstoke Magistrates that he failed to check whether the firm he approached was property authorised to remove waste.

He was also lackadaisical to authorities, as he was held in a police cell after twice failing to attend court, prompting magistrates to issue an arrest warrant.

The defendant admitted in interview that he gave his business waste to “anyone who was passing” and made no checks. The court also heard he did not get a receipt or written description of the waste, with personal details being found in the roadside pile.

Loveridge was fined £200 and ordered to pay £300 costs, £150 compensation and an £80 victim surcharge during the November 21 hearing.

The case is the second in six weeks to come before magistrates involving fly-tipping on the A31 at Four Marks.

“Fly tipping is a serious issue – it damages the environment, it’s harmful for wildlife, it’s expensive to clear and it looks awful,” said Cllr Tony Costigan, EHDC portfolio holder for property.

“We had 1,400 fly tips in East Hampshire last year and it costs us thousands of pounds to clear up.

“For that reason we have introduced our District Team who investigate fly tips and, where possible, prosecute the fly tippers or those who have enabled them.

“Everyone has a legal duty of care to check their waste is being removed by an authorised carrier and to take a proper receipt.”