A man has been caught flytipping at Carmel nature reserve.

Kerry John Knight has been prosecuted for abandoning a trailer-load of waste in a layby which was later found dumped in the nature reserve.

He pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates Court to two offences, under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and The Environmental Protection Act 1990, of abandoning the trailer and failing in his duty to stop someone else from dumping the waste.

The court was told that during July last year Carmarthenshire County Council environmental enforcement officers received a complaint of an abandoned trailer loaded with waste, including car parts, wood, cardboard and general household waste, which was left in a layby on the A476, Carmel.

Some time later, with the trailer having been moved, it was found dumped in Carmel nature reserve. Officers traced Knight who was interviewed but failed to fully co-operate.

Forty eight-year-old Knight, of High Street, Grovesend, was sentenced to carry out 100 hours unpaid work and the local authority was awarded costs of £439 and compensation of £250. Knight was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £85.

Council executive board member for environmental and public protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Fly-tipping is not only a blight on the landscape but it can also cause pollution as well as harm to wildlife and other animals. We will not hesitate to take action against offenders.

“If anyone needs any advice on disposing of their household or business waste please visit our website.”