A WHITE van man has admitted four separate offences of fly-tipping in the Borders countryside.

Greg Notman was this week ordered to pay a total of £620 in compensation and fines.

The 26-year-old from Hawick advertised his services as the "man with a van" who would take away rubbish and materials for building contractors.

But on four occasions last August Notman dumped the building materials in the countryside near Denholm.

Fly-tipping has become an increasing problem throughout the Scottish Borders with old furniture, white goods and builders' debris often left in scenic locations.

For the past decade or so Scottish Borders Council has operated a dedicated hotline - 0300 100 1800 - for reporting flytipping on public land.

But prosecutions remain rare.

This week Notman from Fraser Avenue was told that it cost the local authority £213.20 to clear up the mess he'd left.

Defence lawyer Colin Severin explained how Notman disposed of the waste at proper sites when he started his business.

But charges at waste disposal centres led him to dump the building materials 'inappropriately'.

He added that his client had developed a gambling addiction at around the same time and his mother now controlled his finances.

Notman has now got rid of the van and insists the offence will not happen again.

The qualified HGV driver was fined £100 for each of the four offences and ordered to pay Scottish Borders Council £220 in compensation.

Sheriff Peter Paterson warned Notman that if he was caught flytipping again he could be going to jail.

He said:"This sort of offence has society rightly appalled.

"It is inexcusable and down to laziness and greed on your part.

"If it happens again custody is an option."

As well as the Neighbourhood Service hotline at Scottish Borders Council, reports of flytipping on private land can be made to the National Dumb Dumpers helpline on 0845 230 4090 or report online to Dumb Dumpers.

The local Scottish Environment Protection Agency in Galashiels on 01896 754797 can also be contacted.

A spokesman for Scottish Borders Council said: "Anyone caught fly-tipping can face fines of up to £40,000 or six months imprisonment.

"Members of the public should play their part and report illegal dumping on publicly owned land to us, while fly tipping on private land should be reported to the National Dumb Dumpers.

"A commercial permit scheme is available to enable businesses registered in the Scottish Borders to access six of our community recycling centres."