A BARNSLEY woman is facing a hefty bill for a flytipping offence.

Kimberley Sanderson of Silkstone View, Hoyland, pleaded guilty at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court to a householder ‘duty of care’ offence after using an unknown and unauthorised person to dispose of her household waste.

Ms Sanderson approached a ‘man with a van’ and paid him to remove the waste from her home, assuming it would be disposed of responsibly. She did not ask to see a waste carrier’s licence and did not get a receipt for the transaction.

The waste, which included carpets, large cushions, cardboard boxes and beer cans was later found dumped at the entrance to a field on Woodhead Lane, Blacker Hill.

Ms Sanderson was fined £100 and costs of £210, totalling £310. The court was told she was ‘sincerely sorry for what had happened and hates flytipping’, but she had been gullible and had not fulfilled her responsibilities as the owner of the waste.

Council spokesman Coun Jenny Platts said: “This case shows how important it is to be sure that your waste is being disposed of correctly, even when you’re paying someone else to do it.

“Always ask to see their waste carrier’s licence and make a note of the number which you can check with the Environment Agency. You should also ask for an invoice or receipt.

“There’s no excuse for flytipping. Most people in Barnsley do dispose of their waste responsibly, but a small minority are spoiling our countryside and local area. Through our #EverybodyThink campaign to protect the environment we’re telling people about the right ways to get rid of waste and unwanted items.”

See barnsley.gov.uk/EverybodyThink for more information about waste recycling centres and the large item collection service.