DON’T be taken in by “unbelievable” prices – that’s the message from East Hampshire District Council after two men were fined for fly-tipping rubbish across the district.

The council said it had played its part in bringing prosecutions against two fly-tippers who promised to dispose of residents’ rubbish for a knock-down fee.

Aaron Dubber, 35, of Forest Side Avenue, Havant, was paid £30 to take away refuse including children’s toys and a plastic playhouse.

Instead of disposing of the waste legally he dumped it at Slant Hill, in Blendworth.

Following an investigation by East Hampshire District Council, he pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court to illegally depositing waste and received a £320 fine and was ordered to pay a £32 victim surcharge and £360 costs.

Elsewhere, Ben Bennett, 32, of Hayling Island, promised to safely dispose of rubbish for just £20 but instead arranged for it to be tipped in East Hampshire and Havant.

He pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court to knowingly allowing the illegal deposit of waste and was given 13 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £115.

This investigation was carried out in partnership between East Hampshire District Council and The Environment Agency.

Councillor Ingrid Thomas said: “If someone offers to take away your waste for a price that’s so low it seems unbelievable, you need to be aware that the waste may not be disposed of properly.

“Residents are responsible for the disposal of their own waste, so make sure you always use a licensed waste carrier and make sure they hand over a waste transfer note.”