An 18-year-old who dumped a huge pile of rubbish along a country lane has been fined nearly £3,000.

Claudiu-Marcel Prajinariu, from Brent, in London, pleaded guilty to fly tipping in Buckettsland Lane, near Borehamwood, on July 26.

The waste was discovered by environmental health officers at Hertsmere Borough Council, who were able to link the rubbish left to a building site in Brooklands Rise, London.

The site manager was able to identify Prajinariu as the culprit and provide details of his vehicle which led the council team to him.

At St Albans Magistrates Court, Prajinariu, of Braemar Avenue, pleaded guilty to one charge of fly-tipping, three duty of care offences and one unlicensed waste carrier offence.

He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,771 to cover costs and the clean-up fee, as well as a £100 victim surcharge, bringing a total of £2,871.

Councillor Seamus Quilty, responsible for the environment in Hertsmere, said: “I am really pleased with the outcome of this court hearing and my thanks go to the environmental health team for their excellent work in stopping this offender from continuing to leave dangerous building waste in public areas.

“This case, in addition to previous successful convictions, sends a clear message that it is wholly unacceptable to knowingly harm the environment with no consideration for the impact on the wider community.

“This behaviour diverts valuable resources from the delivery of frontline services at a time when the council must continue to make efficiency savings.”

To report fly-tipping visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/flytipping