A ROAD worker who failed to attend an interview over dumped waste has been ordered to pay more than £600.

Dayne Hitch, of Barrasford Road, Newton Hall, County Durham, pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide information when the case was heard at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Stephanie Mallery, prosecuting for Durham County Council, said a neighbourhood warden was investigating a potential case of illegal waste disposal in West Rainton and contacted Hitch to arrange an interview on April 10.

Hitch did not attend but later called the warden to say he "wanted to get it sorted" but had work commitments.

The warden arranged for a weekend interview on May 21 but Hitch did not show.

Hitch did not attend court, saying in a statement that he had work commitments and that he "knew it was the wrong thing to do", calling it a "stupid decision I made in the spare of the moment".

Hitch was fined £133 and ordered to pay £468.35 in costs and a £30 victim surcharge.