Ralph Starkie had been helping to clear a property in Blyth when he found that the nearby community refuse tip had closed for the day.

South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court was told that the 50-year-old and another man were then spotted by a police officer dumping the rubbish at a well-known hotspot in Laverock Hall Road near the A192.

Paul Harley, prosecuting for the Environment Agency, said that on January 31 this year, a police officer had been on patrol when he saw Starkie and another man unloading items from a Vauxhall Cavalier.

Mr Harley said: "Mr Starkie told the officer the items came from the property of a deceased relative and they had made several trips that day to the civic amenity site but on the last trip it had been closed.

"He could have taken it back the next day but chose to dispose of it."

During interview with agency officers, Starkie admitted he had unlawfully dumped the waste but had done so because he was told he could not leave it outside the civic amenity tip while that was closed.

He also put the rubbish back in his vehicle after being stopped by the police officer.

Mr Harley added: "This is a grave problem not only nationally but in the north east."

Starkie, of Cambridge Avenue, Whitley Bay, pleaded guilty to illegally disposing waste.

The items included a rug, cardboard boxes, cushions, a bronze lamp, and a lampshade.

Stuart Athey, defending, said: "Mr Starkie has fully accepted he did fly tip, he knew it was wrong and he recovered the items he did leave.

"He did not set out that day to fly- tip."

Mr Athey said his client did not know the area, taking the first load of rubbish to the community tip near Wallsend, and only left the
rubbish in Laverock Hall Road after the suggestion by his co-accused.

"Certainly in the benefit of hindsight, he should have taken the items back to the house or left them in the car," he added. "That's going to cost him."

Starkie was fined £200 plus a £15 surcharge and was ordered to pay £200 towards prosecution costs.