A man who dumped an old wardrobe in the street was hit with a bill for £850 after magistrates ignored his excuses.

Sahin Sahin, of Warwick Road, Milford Haven, Wales, pleaded guilty to fly-tipping at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Friday.

The court heard how Sahin, 37, had been caught on CCTV dumping the wardrobe in Newlands Road, Woodford Green, on October 17 last year.

The footage showed Sahin stopping a car in the road, unloading the furniture and leaving it on the pavement before making off.

The court heard how a resident tipped off Redbridge Council and they were able to trace the registration back to Sahin.

Sahin, a part-time shopkeeper, told the magistrates he did not realise he had committed a crime.

He said he had been told that if a piece of furniture is in a good condition, then you should leave it out for other people to take.

Magistrate chairwoman Jane Myers told Sahin: “Local authorities are trying to keep the streets clean. This is going to cost you an awful lot of money, this is very serious.”

Sahin was fined £455, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £45 and costs of £350, a total bill of £850.

Cllr Ross Hatfull, cabinet member for civic pride, said: “Catching individuals who dump rubbish on our streets is a priority for this administration. The message is clear fly-tipping will not be tolerated in Redbridge.”

The result comes as the council’s Enforcement Team continue their month-long crackdown on littering in Ilford town centre which has already seen £2040 worth of on-the-spot fines handed out since May 23.