A woman has been ordered to pay more than £1,000 after waste she gave to a trader was fly-tipped on the street.

Rachel Cooper, of Lushes Road, Loughton, was found guilty of a waste duty of care offence for giving 10 bags of household waste to someone who fly-tipped in Bushfields and Parkmead, Loughton.

Cooper failed to attend two court hearings and was arrested on September 29. At court, she admitted handing over the waste to the individual who dumped it on November 30 last year.

She was fined £170 for the offence and failing to attend an interview with Epping Forest Council’s Environment and Neighbourhoods team.

She was also ordered to pay the council’s prosecution costs of more than £1280.

The council’s environment portfolio holder, Cllr Will Breare-Hall said: “This is a situation that could easily have been avoided.

“Ms Cooper admitted that she had asked for the waste to be removed for cash, without first checking to see whether the person was licensed.

“Householders and business must make reasonable checks to ensure that they comply with their waste duty of care.

“You must only give your waste to a person authorised by the Environment Agency. Businesses who produce commercial waste must also keep waste transfer notes.”