Two sisters have been ordered to pay over £1,500 after being caught dumping waste in Test Valley.

Carla and Chantelle Matthews were both fined following incidents in which waste was found dumped on Cowdown Lane between the Clatfords and Andover, as well as in Stoneymarsh car park on the A3057.

After failing to attend an interview regarding the offences, the pair were taken to Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court. Carla was ordered to pay £1,496, while Chantelle was ordered to pay £193.

The prosecution follows the discovery of waste at Stoneymarsh Car Park and on Cowdown Lane last year. Bags full of cables, pipes and other waste was left at the sites, where it was found by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) environmental officers.

Evidence was found to link the sisters to the fly-tipping, with both formally requested to attend an interview to explain how their waste ended up at the sites. Neither responded.

As a result, TVBC prosecuted them, which saw their cases brought before Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on January 19. Both were charged with failing to comply with a Section 108 order, which gives public bodies the power to investigate environmental crimes.

Carla Matthews, 31, of Wellow Way, Romsey, was fined £1,100 and ordered to pay compensation of £286 and a victim surcharge of £110 for the fly-tipping in Stoneymarsh car park. The defendant was not present, with the verdict of ‘proved in absence’ given.

Chantelle Matthews, 23, of Bray Court, Winchester, subsequently pleaded guilty at the same court to the fly-tipping at Cowdown Lane. She was fined £120, ordered to pay £39 in compensation and a £34 victim surcharge.

Environmental portfolio holder for TVBC, councillor Alison Johnston, said: “As we have said multiple times, we investigate every single report of fly-tipping that makes its way to us. Part of our process is that we need to speak to those involved in what we find. If a letter comes through your door with a formal request to interview, do not ignore it, otherwise you too could find yourself with a criminal record and a substantial sum to pay to go along with it.

“Fly-tipping is very clearly a blight on our borough. This waste was left at one of our most popular car parks along the Test Way and is used regularly by visitors. Having huge bags full of cables, pipes and other rubbish dumped there shows a total lack of consideration for visitors using these important amenity spaces and is despicable behaviour.”