A fly tipper was tracked down after his van registration number was caught on CCTV while dumping rubbish on the streets of Blackburn.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ryan Cunliffe had dumped a mattress, carpet offcuts and bagged general waste in an alley to the rear of Hollin Bridge Street.

The court was told Cunliffe had “no recollection” of dumping the rubbish in August 2022.

Cunliffe, 44, of James Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to depositing waste without a permit.

He was fined £200 with £320 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Zukana Mussa, prosecuting for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the fly-tipping was investigated by a council employee who recovered CCTV whic showed the vehicle involved and the registration number.

“The vehicle was registered to the defendant and he was written to asking him to contact the council,” said Miss Mussa.

“There was no response to that letter or a fixed penalty notice and final reminder which were also sent.”

Richard Prew, mitigating, said all the communications had been sent to an address in Bolton.

“The proceedings came as a shock to my client who has never lived in Bolton,” said Mr Prew.

“He heard a warrant had been issued for his arrest when he faile to attend court and immediately handed himself in to the police.

“Unfortunately due to the backlog in court work, that has led to him spending the best part of three days in custody which I would ask you to take into account.

“He doesn’t have any recollection of depositing the waste but doesn’t want to contest the prosecution version of events,” he added.