A man who paid someone he found on social media to dump his rubbish has been heavily fined.

Alexandru Ionita from Hurstleigh Gardens in Clayhall was ordered to pay £862 after a large fly-tip was traced back to him by council enforcement officers.

In an interview the 28-year-old truck driver said that he had hired a “man with a van” through social media after needing help to deliver and assemble furniture.

His social media contact then offered to get rid of the furniture packaging, cardboard boxes and other waste.

Taking him up on the offer, Ionita handed the man £150 to dispose of the rubbish.

It was later found dumped on Hainault Road in Hainault. A number of black sacks and other household rubbish was also among pile of waste discovered by the council’s street cleansing team, who promptly disposed of it at the local tip.

During his interview, Ionita said he had trusted his social media contact to properly dispose of the rubbish, but admitted he didn’t ask for the contact’s full name, address or vehicle’s registration number.

He also did not get a receipt for the removal, ask if the man had a Waste Carrier’s Licence, or establish where the rubbish was going to be taken.

Ionita was hit with a fine of £300 and ordered to pay costs of £420 after pleading guilty at Barkingside Magistrates Court on July 5, 2019.

A victim surcharge of £30 was imposed, along with an order to pay clean-up costs of £112.

Upon sentencing, the Deputy District Judge told Ionita that putting his trust in a stranger without establishing their identity or waste carrier credentials, had been misplaced.

Redbridge Council said it is taking one of the toughest stances on grime crime and will fine or prosecute any individual or business caught dumping rubbish.

Cllr Jas Athwal, council leader, said: “There is no excuse for dumping rubbish and dirtying our streets. The man in question should have made sure he hired a responsible firm to dispose of his waste.

“The Council offers free bulky waste collection which can easily be organised online so there is no reason to hire disreputable third parties, or dispose of rubbish irresponsibly.”

Cllr John Howard, cabinet member for civic pride, added: “We have a zero-tolerance approach to people who dump rubbish. Even if you contract rubbish removal out to a third party, it is still your responsibility and duty of care to ensure that the waste has been lawfully taken and disposed of.

“Fly-tipping is blight on our community and we won’t hesitate to prosecute those caught making a mess of our borough.”