A fly-tipper has paid the price for dumping waste in Marlow, after initially lying to the police and absconding from court.

Andrei Mihai Serban, 29 from London, appeared in High Wycombe Magistrates Court yesterday (August 26) and pleaded guilty to an offence of fly-tipping.

The court heard that witnesses saw occupants get out of a Romanian registered van and dump a large amount of building and renovation waste in Winchbottom Lane in January.

The offenders fled when they saw the witnesses, but they were filmed by hidden surveillance cameras.

Police later identified Serban as the owner of the vehicle and interviewed him at Wembley Police Station, where he initially denied any involvement in the offence.

He was later summoned to court but failed to appear, and was arrested later on a warrant issued by magistrates.

Serban was fined £585 and was ordered to pay £200 to the landowner as compensation for clean-up costs, and prosecution costs of £600. A victim surcharge of £59 was also levied, making a total to pay of £1,444.

The waste partnership of Buckinghamshire launched the ‘illegal dumping costs’ campaign in 2003 to combat illegal dumping and waste management offences in Buckinghamshire.

Chairman of the Bucks Joint Waste Partnership, Cllr Mike Smith, said: “I hope this case serves as a warning to others who think they can fly tip with impunity.

“This sort of anti-social behaviour just won’t be tolerated in our county, and we have highly skilled and tenacious officers who will always endeavour to bring offenders to book. The clear up costs of fly tipping are significant and should not become a burden on the taxpayer.”

Since then the partnership began campaigning, 495 convictions have been secured against individuals and companies for illegal dumping and related offences.