TWO Basildon residents have been found guilty of flytipping after dumping household items in the streets they live in.

Both residents pleaded guilty to a charge of dumping controlled waste under s33(1)(a) and 33(6) of the Environmental Protection Act.

Karen Cummings, 48, of Little Searles, deposited items including a roll of carpet and two drawers in her street, while Sinead Brown, 30, of Malgraves, deposited waste including three large cardboard boxes near to her property.

Cummings pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced at Basildon Magistrates Court on 5 October to a £200 fine, £105 in court costs, and a £34 victim surcharge.

After failing to attend her original court hearing, Brown was arrested and bailed, and on 5 October she pleaded guilty to depositing controlled waste and was sentenced to a £120 fine, £212 in court costs, and a £34 victim surcharge.

Cllr Andrew Baggott Chairman of the Enforcement and Public Order Committee said: "In these cases, both defendants felt like it was okay to dump rubbish and cause mess in the area they live. This isn't okay, it never will be, and we've proved again that the council has a zero-tolerance approach to this.

"This should act as a warning to any other residents who feel they have a right to do similar. Book a special collection for us to collect up to ten items, take your items to the Barleylands Recycling Centre or an alternative similar location, and dispose of your waste correctly. Otherwise, we'll investigate it and you could face the same consequences as the two defendants here."

To book a special collection, visit: www.basildon.gov.uk/specialcollections