A shopkeeper was fined hundreds of pounds after dumping cardboard boxes in a road.

Shahid Ghani of Dawson Road, Cricklewood, was ordered to pay almost £600 at St Albans Magistrates Court on Wednesday May 10.

He was fined after failing to ensure that waste relating to his business was disposed of by an authorised carrier.

Cardboard boxes from Mr Ghani’s shop were found dumped in Ragged Hall Lane in Chiswell Green.

He admitted giving the boxes that had contained goods destined for his shop in Islington to a man with a van who called at his home.

Mr Ghani failed to check that the man had a licence to carry waste and to obtain a written note from him detailing the waste disposal arrangements.

The waste, along with other rubbish, was then unlawfully dumped in Ragged Hall Lane in Chiswell Green.

Mr Ghani was fined £267, ordered to pay £300 costs and a £30 Victim Surcharge, making a total sum of £597.

Cllr Daniel Chichester-Miles, portfolio holder for environment for St Albans City and District Council, said: “Remember that everyone is responsible for what happens to their waste.

“It is essential that people ensure that their waste is being disposed of legitimately in line with their duty of the care.

“Otherwise, they could end up being prosecuted if their waste is later found to have been fly-tipped by another person.”