A woman who failed to help an investigation into a fly tip will now have to pay a £1,000 fine.

Heather Campbell’s details were found on a medicine box in a disgusting fly tip of black bin bags near her address.

They also found a letter addressed to another person with her address.

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Pictures show rubbish strewn accross a grassed area including piled up bags and general waste.

The Northern Echo: The fly tip on Egglestone Walk, St Helen Auckland.The fly tip on Egglestone Walk, St Helen Auckland. (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)

Durham County Council sent Campbell a letter asking her to contact a warden about her possible involvement or knowledge of the waste dump.

But the 51-year-old of Egglestone Walk, St Helen Auckland, County Durham failed to respond to the letter.

When they received no response wardens hand delivered her a Section 108 notice to her home, which required her to attend a police and criminal evidence interview.

Peterlee Magistrates Court heard that, on the day of the interview Campbell failed to turn up or contact the warden, who was waiting for her to arrive.

The Northern Echo: Bin bags and waste were strewn across a grassed area.Bin bags and waste were strewn across a grassed area. (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)

Continuing her no-show reputation, she failed to attend court and was found guilty of failing to assist with a fly tip investigation.

For failing to cooperate she now faces £1,052.60 bill comprising a £220 fine, £88 victim surcharge and £744.60 incosts.

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Belinda Snow, Durham County Council’s senior neighbourhood warden manager, said: “We know Egglestone Walk is an area that is often fly tipped, sometimes resulting in the waste being set on fire. A great deal of time and resource is dedicated to monitoring and tackling this small area of the county, with the costs being borne by us and, ultimately, the taxpayer.

“Fly tipping and other environmental offences are a concern shared by most of our residents, and something that will not be tolerated in this county. This case should serve as a stark warning that we take instances of fly tipping very seriously, including when a person fails to assist us with our investigations.

“We encourage people to make sure they dispose of their waste properly through our Household Waste Recycling Centres or bulky waste collection service.”