A NORTHWICH woman has been ordered to pay more than £800 for fly-tipping in Antrobus.

Katie Connor, 30, of Thornley Green in Lostock Gralam, was prosecuted by Cheshire West and Chester Council after 12 bin bags of domestic waste were found dumped in Pole Lane.

The incident was reported to the council by a member of the public on August 24, 2017.

A council enforcement officer attended the scene and inspected the rubbish, tracing it back to Connor.

Despite Regulatory Services contacting Connor on four separate occasions to invite her to attend a formal interview under caution to account for the waste, she failed to attend.

On June 28, Connor attended court and entered a not guilty plea and the case was adjourned. She returned to court on August 21, when she changed her plea to guilty.

She was subsequently fined £300, and ordered to pay £500 prosecution costs and a £30 victim surcharge – a total of £830.

Ms Connor was prosecuted for failing to take all reasonable measures to ensure that an authorised person disposed of her waste, not for personally depositing the waste.

As well as the environmental impact on the streets, it costs the council around £600,000 a year to clear litter and fly-tipped waste in the Northwich, Ellesmere Port and Chester areas.

CWAC’s cabinet member for environment, Cllr Karen Shore, said: “As there have been other successful prosecutions for fly-tipping in recent weeks, it is clear that some residents still think they can dispose of rubbish wherever they choose.

“Fly-tipping is a drain on council services and causes problems for law abiding people in our community.

“The council has a zero tolerance approach to this activity and we will continue to seek prosecution of people found guilty of it. We hope this case will deter others from offending in this way.”

You can support the council’s Street Care Pledge and report incidents 24 hours a day at westcheshireyourstreets.co.uk or the council website.

You can also report incidents via Twitter @Go_Cheshirewest or in person at any of the council’s customer service centres.