A LITTLEDEAN man who claimed to run a waste disposal business has been fined for fly-tipping.

Anthony Pearson, of Oak Way, was taken to court by the Forest Council for dumping rubbish and failing to produce a valid waste licence.

Parsons appeared before Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court charged with the offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.He was given a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £900 and a victim surcharge of £95.Parsons advertised a waste disposal service on Facebook but was just dumped in various parts of the Forest rather than being disposed of correctly.He was also unable to produce a waste carrier’s licence, as legitimate business have to, and so was charged on that count.The council’s Street Wardens, along with the authority’s Counter Fraud unit conducted an investigation in the offences which led them to Parsons.Cllr Sid Phelps, (Green, Lydbrook), the Cabinet member with responsibility for waste services, said: "The offender deliberately took waste and money from residents and betrayed their trust by flytipping the waste around the district. "This is appalling behaviour and I am glad that the Street Wardens and Counter Fraud team have been able to trace the waste back to them."Residents should always ask to see a waste carrier’s license and photograph any vehicle belonging to somebody removing waste on their behalf. Any legitimate operator will be completely fine with these precautions being taken."