A MAN has been sent to prison for nine weeks after fly-tipping at a Bromyard caravan park.

Paul Biddle, aged 26, of Burley Lane, Bromyard, was found guilty in his absence of fly-tipping offences between April 14 and April 30 at Hereford Magistrates Court last week.

The offences involved tipping controlled waste – including a sofa, car and mattress – at a Bromyard caravan park.

It was prosecuting authority Herefordshire Council’s first ever custodial sentence awarded for a fly-tipping offence.

The maximum penalty for fly tipping is a £50,000 fine and/or five years imprisonment.

Marc Willimont, from Herefordshire Council, said: “Custodial sentences are reserved for the most serious offences, and Mr Biddle’s sentence proves that Herefordshire Council takes fly tipping enforcement very seriously.

“Action will be taken against any resident or business which illegally disposes of their waste or does not ensure that their waste is collected by a registered waste carrier.

“We would encourage anyone who sees fly tipping in action to report the details directly to Herefordshire Council.”