A MAN who deliberately dumped waste on public land in Wirral has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Richard Devonshire Young, 71, pleaded guilty to seven offences when he appeared at Wirral Magistrates Court today.

The offences took place between January and March last year when Young deliberately dumped controlled waste on land on Kelvinside in Wallasey on five different occasions, contrary to the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

He was also not registered to transport waste in the course of business or otherwise with a view to profit, which contravenes the Control of Pollution Act 1989.

He received a six month sentence for each of six of the offences from District Judge Michael Abelson.

There was no further penalty for the seventh charge. The custodial sentences were suspended for two years.

Young was also ordered to pay £1,540 as a contribution to costs and compensation worth £1,380. A victim surcharge of £80 was also awarded.

District Judge Abelson heard sentencing arguments and accepted that it was a deliberate act.

He supported Wirral Council in bringing the action and acknowledged the financial and time commitments in the investigation and clean-up of these flying tipping incidents.

As part of the sentencing, the judge advised Young that he could have confiscated his van and disqualified him from driving, but in light of guilty pleas, his age and other mitigating circumstances he did not.

Cllr Bernie Mooney, Wirral's cabinet member for environment, said: "This successful court action and tough sentence should warn anyone thinking of dumping rubbish illegally that there will be consequences.

"Our officers have a range of investigative powers at their disposal and they will not hesitate to use them to deter and detect those who think they are above the law."