The pile of rubbish dumped by Ashton-based Gary Heary on the corner of Parker Street

This was the pile of rubbish left dumped on the corner of a street in Ashton by a Preston businessman with no regard for the safety of the local residents.

The heap on an open grass area off Parker Street was discovered in October after Gary Heary, of Waterloo Road, Ashton, was captured on CCTV using his Ford Transit to discard the rubbish.

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Mr Heary, who runs a business in the city, claimed he was building a bonfire for the local community.

Waste enforcement officers from Preston City Council discovered Mr Heary, who is not authorised to carry waste, was in fact being paid by a house in Lorraine Avenue, Fulwood, to dispose of the waste which included paint tins, amttresses, mastic tubes and carpet underlay.

Caught on CCTV: Gary Heary unloading the items

Mr Heary was stopped before he could set fire to the pile of rubbish, which would have caused danger to nearby residents with toxic fumes and cost thousands to the taxpayer with fire crews having to put it out and clean up the mess.

Preston City Council prosecuted Mr Heary who was found guilty at Preston Crown Court of fly tipping and he pleaded guilty. He received a two year condition discharge as well as being ordered to pay £750 in costs.

Mick Lovatt, director of environment for the council, said: “The effects of the toxic fumes in this case would have been very damaging to local residents and that risk was caused solely by Mr Heary’s actions. The council take these incidents extremely seriously and will prosecute all incidents of this nature.”

To report fly-tipping in the city you can call the council on 01772 906909