Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

It's a pity that more prosecutions aren't brought.

A trader from Westbury has been fined £1,650 after waste was dumped at a beauty spot in the heart of Salisbury Plain.

John Thompson of Warminster Road, Westbury pleaded guilty at Chippenham Magistrates on 2 June 2011 in failing in his duty of care under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act (1990).

In May 2009 Mr Thompson, who traded under the name of J & M Builders, was employed by a couple in Devizes to undertake building work at their home. The court heard how he offered to take away waste from the couple's home. That waste was later discovered at Pear Tree Hill, near Great Cheverell.

Police officers from the MOD Rural Beat Section on Salisbury Plain and Wiltshire Council traced the waste back to Mr Thompson who admitted to the court he had taken control of the waste but could not account for how it ended up where it was discovered.

Householders and businesses have a legal duty to ensure their waste is disposed of by properly licensed persons - failure to do so can lead to prosecution.

Mr Thompson was fined £1,650 and ordered to pay £700 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Cabinet member for enforcement, Dick Tonge, said: 'This is an excellent example of agencies working together to achieve a result and it sends out a clear message that we are prepared to take action to protect the public and the environment. I would urge everybody who employs people to carry out work for them to make as many checks as possible. Protect yourself and ensure anyone who handles your waste is licensed to do so by the Environment Agency.'