A MAN has been left almost £8,000 out of pocket after pleading guilty to illegally burning waste.

Mark Anthony Walsh was caught burning piles of rubbish on land at Thorpe Larches between Stockton and Sedgefield.

The 57-year-old, of Maidstone Drive, Marton, Middlesbrough, admitted the charge when he appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court.

Simon Crowder, prosecuting on behalf of the Environment Agency (EA), said that three complaints about waste burning taking place on land at Beechgrove at Thorpe Larches, had been received in 2016 and 2017.

During one of the visits they saw no one was present with the fire and the waste pile contained partially burnt household items along with a plastic wheelie bin, tin cans, garden waste, waste paper, metal springs and household electrical items.

During interview, Walsh said he only burnt bedding from the pig sty. He was fined £5,800, ordered to pay £2,000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £80.

Speaking after the hearing, Paul Whitehill, from the EA, said: “The evidence, including images and visits by our enforcement officers, shows Walsh burning waste on his land illegally.

“Environmental laws are there to protect the environment and community and Walsh deliberately flouted those laws, putting the environment at risk.

“I’d encourage people to report waste crime to us so that we can investigate and take any necessary action.”

Waste crime can be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.