A BUSINESSMAN who relied on staff to carry out his instructions regarding the disposal of waste found himself in court after rubbish was dumped.

Blackburn magistrates had heard that ultimately Tamim Mohammed Shaffi was responsible for the breakdown in the system at his fruit and veg business.

And the fly-tipping incident cost him £1,000 in fines and costs.

Shaffi, of Clarence Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to comply with his duty regarding controlled waste. He was fined £150 on each and ordered to pay the £700 costs requested by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Alan Fairhurst, prosecuting, said a fly tipping enforcement officer investigated a complaint that rubbish had been dumped on waste land in Clarence Street.

He found a large quantity of plastic boxes and crates associated with the sale of fruit and vegetables. It was traced back to Shaffi's business on Whalley Range.

Mr Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said the firm had operated for two years and employees were all instructed on the correct disposal of the various forms of waste. In addition, Sita were engaged to dispose of rubbish of a certain kind and other waste was taken for recycling.

"He accepts that items that should have been taken to Sita were taken to waste ground," said Mr Church-Taylor. "He can only speculate that the employee found the Sita site closed."