A MAN who was caught fly-tipping in Test Valley has been given a five-figure fine.

Mitchell Cooper, of Hillyfields, Nursling, was found guilty of five fly-tipping offences at three locations across Test Valley.

Cooper appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday where he was fined £20,000, as well as being ordered to pay costs of £2,882.75 and a victim surcharge of £190.

He was found guilty of fly-tipping at Toothill Road and Spaniards Lane in Romsey, and a scrap metal offence in Botley Road, North Baddesley.

It comes a week since The Advertiser reported how Test Valley Borough Council Leader Cllr Phil North pledged to take action after a suspected fly-tip in Anton Lakes.

Taking to Facebook on Thursday, Cllr North said: "When we say that fly-tipping is not acceptable and not worth the risk, we absolutely mean it. The substantial fine yesterday is proof of that and I’m delighted with the result.

"My thanks go to the hard work of our environmental services officers, legal team and everyone who took part in investigating this case.

"I promised that Test Valley Borough Council investigates every single offence that takes place in our borough - and that we will always seek to prosecute if we have enough evidence.

"That commitment was underlined by our success in court yesterday."