A SERIAL fly-tipper who dumped piles of rubbish and “blighted his community” by illegally discarding waste in the countryside has been sentenced after he posed as a waste removal service on Facebook.

Police say members of the public responded to a Facebook advert for “Rubbish Removal Service” ad paid to have the waste taken away in a pickup truck.

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Rather than disposing of it legally Ben Tiller, 37 of Richmond, dumped the items, including furniture, a mattress, building materials and carpets, in rural areas.

An investigation was launched after documents found by a Police Community Support Officer linked to an address in Harrogate and the trail then led back to Tiller.

According to police, a joint investigation by North Yorkshire Police and Richmondshire District Council was launched.

Richmondshire District Council prosecuted Tiller, who was charged with two counts of fly-tipping and his accomplice, David Argyle, 37 from Thirsk, was also charged with one count of fly-tipping at Gallowfields Trading Estate in Richmond.

Officers say both were convicted yesterday after pleading guilty to the offences at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

Tiller was then ordered to pay an £800 fine and £700 in costs, Argle was fined £300 with £700 costs.

PC Tony Kent, from the Safer Richmondshire Hub, who investigated the offences for North Yorkshire Police said: “Tiller’s ‘Rubbish Removal Service’ certainly was rubbish, and it was also illegal.

“He blighted his own community and tarnished the countryside by dumping large amounts of mixed waste wherever he felt like it.

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“It’s selfish, arrogant behaviour and I’m glad we’ve been able to work closely with Richmondshire District Council to bring about two successful convictions.

“It should mark the end of this shoddy and illegal operation as well as sending out a clear message to other fly-tippers that there will be consequences to their actions.”

Richmondshire District Council’s Community Safety lead, Councillor Helen Grant, said: ““We are very pleased with this outcome of the court case as this criminal activity, and those involved in it, need to be held to account.

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“We take this type of environmental vandalism very seriously and will do all we can, in partnership with our partners, to put a stop to it."

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