A Redruth man who knowingly dumped controlled waste without a permit has received a significant fine after appearing in a court in Cornwall.

Billy Thomas, 52, of Treleigh, Redruth, appeared in front of magistrates at Truro Magistrates' Court yesterday (Feb 23) charged with two offences relating to the handling of controlled waste.

Thomas pleaded guilty to knowingly causing the deposit of controlled or extractive waste in or on land, namely Pott Bottom in Illogan, without a permit.

The controlled waste that Thomas knowingly deposited was described on the charge as being an 'unknown substance.'

The charge comes under Section 33(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and defines the offence as: "Depositing, knowingly causing or knowingly permitting the deposit of controlled waste or extractive waste on land without, or other than in accordance with, an environmental permit."

He was fined £830 and made to pay costs of £6435.5 as well as also being made to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £83.

Thomas was also charged with failing to take reasonable measures of care for handling, controlling or transferring controlled waste, however this offence was withdrawn.