A Redcar man has been fined £100 and ordered to pay £341 costs by Teesside magistrates for refusing to pay a £50 on-the-spot litter fine.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's community safety wardens found two white bags of household rubbish, with soil, plant pots and boxes, in the back alley of Hanson Street, in the town.

The court was told the wardens also identified the rubbish as coming from the home of Tony Bennett, who admitted he was responsible.

But Mr Bennett did not appear in court and was dealt with in his absence.

A council spokesman said: "We are committed to keeping the area clean and tidy and if residents are not prepared to do the same, we will pursue them through the courts."