A “NAIVE” mum was fined hundreds of pounds for paying white van men to throw her decorating waste away when they dumped it.

The pile of rubbish led back to Emma Wyatt, of North Road, Clacton, when a Colchester Council worker found her name within it.

The farmland, at Salary Brook Farm, Wivenhoe, is occupied by Essex University and the incident was first reported to the council by university staff.

Teaching assistant Wyatt admitted failing to comply with the Environmental Protection Act by not ensuring her household waste was transferred to an authorised person.

Claudia Lord-Lynch, prosecuting, told the court Wyatt, 35, was invited to an interview when she explained two men offered to dispose of the waste for a sum.

Wyatt paid the men, who approached her, £30, and did not ask for a waste carrier licence or receive a receipt.

Ms Lord-Lynch said: “The council is of the view the defendant would’ve been aware of the disposal being unacceptable, perhaps even reckless.

“The harm, given the nature, wasn’t significant, but nonetheless it’s not good for the environment.”

Wyatt claimed not all the waste - including two carpets, bedroom and household rubbish - was hers and she said she was clueless about needing a licence.

She said: “In the past my ex-husband took it all to the dump but the carpets were far too big for me.

“Being a single parent and not been able to do that myself, I took the opportunity, but I wasn’t aware of any licences or that I needed a receipt.

“Quite a few people I’ve spoken to since this happened are also unaware and I’m going to make sure they are because it’s been daunting for me.

“Sorry for not asking anyone for any licences and I won’t be doing it again.”

Taking into account the men approached Wyatt, magistrates ruled her actions negligent rather than reckless before saying: “You were very naive.”

She was ordered to pay a £200 fine, £125 in court costs and a minimum £30 victim surcharge.

They added: “We’re mindful there has to be a visible deterrent in courts dealing with these matters.

“We have to deplore these sorts of actions.

“Hopefully these people will get short-changed if they try to do it again in your area.

“Littering is a growing problem in Essex and needs to be stopped.”