Two residents have been fined for refusing to help a council investigate illegal tipping.

They were ordered to pay the fines for failing to assist East Hampshire District Council with investigations into two fly-tipping incidents in Horndean.

The council said: “We take tipping seriously and hope residents do the same.”

He made it clear that even if residents are not responsible for dumping waste, if they withhold information they could end up in court.

At Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on October 18, Thanh Biu, of Eastleigh, was fined £780 for failing to provide information to assist the investigation into an incident on Hinton Manor Lane in August 2023.

David Buceanu, from Portsmouth, was fined £1,766 after failing to provide information relating to a fly tip on Slant Hill in August 2022.

Councilor Tony Costigan, property portfolio holder, said the couple refused to give the council information that could help it find the tippers.

He said: “Fly tipping is a blight on our beautiful countryside.

“It is unsightly, polluting and costs taxpayers thousands of dollars to clean up. We do not tolerate this at all and our district team will always examine fly tips to see if those responsible can be identified.

“If you are asked to provide information as part of the investigation, you may be required by law to cooperate.”