A fly-tipper from Stow has been brought to justice.

Cotswold District Council has prosecuted a woman for fly tipping along a bridleway near the B4450 road that leads from Stow to Bledington.

Black bin bags, soft furnishings, a sofa, cardboard packaging from children’s toys, items of clothing and a green waste bin had all been dumped.

Earlier this month, at Cheltenham Magistrates Court, Charlotte Johnson of King Georges Field pleaded guilty to offences under sections 33 and 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

She was subsequently fined £480 for the offence and ordered to pay £500 in costs and a victim surcharge of £48, taking the total she must pay to £1,028.

Cotswold district councillor Andrew Doherty, cabinet member for environment, waste and recycling, said: “As a Council our teams are consistently working hard to keep the district clean, tidy and safe for our residents and wildlife, but some people don’t play their part.

“Fly tipping is a criminal offence.

“As well as being a hazard to human health and wildlife in the District, it also comes at a cost to the taxpayer.”

He added: “We’re pleased that this has been a successful and significant prosecution for the Council.

“Fly tipping is unacceptable and as any incident of the activity is a criminal offence, we will seek to do everything we can to prosecute offenders in all cases, either through the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice or through a prosecution.

“We hope that this will act as a deterrent for others who may be tempted to offend.”

The prosecution was brought by Cotswold District Council’s Environmental Regulatory Services team with assistance from both the council’s Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit and Legal Service.

Residents are encouraged to report incidents of fly tipping online by visiting the district council website at www.cotswold.gov.uk/environment/report-fly-tipping.