A Bedminster fly-tipper who promised a family member to dispose of their waste has been slapped with a huge fine.
The culprit, who left a huge pile of household goods near a hedge in Bedminster, was tracked down after a council officer found details of a nearby address amongst the rubble.
They were hit with a whopping £400 fine after it was discovered that the waste had been given to a relative who promised to dispose of it correctly.
Also read: Bristol tenant in 'living hell' after ceiling that collapsed starts leaking again
Bristol City Council said on Twitter today (Friday): "Our officers found a large fly tip of household waste in Bedminster, which contained details of an address close by.
"The waste had been given to a family member who promised to dispose of it, but just dumped it. A £400 fine was issued. Please dispose of your waste responsibly."
Incidents of fly-tipping have increased two-fold in Bristol, with a new incident reported every hour according to the latest figures.
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment if convicted in a Magistrates’ Court, and can attract an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment if convicted in a Crown Court.
There are also a number of other possible penalties, including fixed penalty notices and having a vehicle seized. Householders can be fined up to £400 if they pass their waste to an unlicensed waste carrier that is subsequently fly-tipped.
Want our best stories with fewer ads and alerts when the biggest news stories drop? Download our app on iPhone or Android