A man who illegally dumped over 60 tonnes of rubbish in a Croydon yard should clear waste as part of his sentence, a judge has said.

Lance Anthony Morris, 47, was taken to court by Croydon Council after piling tyres, timber and other waste in addition to a caravan at a side in Waddon over a three-year period up to October 2015.

A jury at Croydon Crown Court found Morris guilty last Friday (July 11) of three environmental offences.

Judge Elizabeth Smaller ordered Morris to complete 120 hours of unpaid community service, which she suggested could involve clearing the waste.

Morris, of Beulah Road in Thornton Heath, was also ordered to pay a £50 fine and a £60 victim surcharge.

The case is the 151st successful prosecution by Croydon Council under he Don’t Mess With Croydon scheme that was launched in 2015.

It combines enforcement through fixed penalty notices and court cases with getting locals to volunteer on litter clear-ups and encouraging recycling efforts from residents.

Councillor Stuart Collins, deputy leader for Clean Green Croydon, said: “This illegal waste mountain blighted the local environment for years, so maybe Mr Morris will learn a thing or two from having to clear up fly-tips as part of his sentence.

“This case underlines how our officers will continue to prosecute those who flout the law and I hope I will make other potential fly-tippers think twice.”