A BUSINESSMAN has been fined £1,500 after waste from his company was found dumped in a country lane.

Joseph Leadbetter, whose firm Auto Electrics is in Wood Street, Spennymoor, admitted two offences against environment laws when he appeared before Durham magistrates yesterday.

The court heard that a motorist in Leemans Lane, Hett, near Spennymoor, noticed cardboard, plastic bags and electrical equipment in the hedge, which was traced back to Auto Electrics.

Leadbetter said that he had passed the waste to someone else to dispose of but had no formal arrangement for the removal of waste.

He was also ordered to pay £700 costs and £235 compensation to Sedgefield Borough Council to clear the site.