A SERIAL fly-tipper who threatened someone with a crowbar has been jailed for a total of eight months.

Matthew Hunt was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to a series of offences committed in the New Forest, Southampton and the Test Valley.

Hunt, 32, of St Boniface Court, Borth Baddesley, was sentenced by District Judge Anthony Calloway.

Hunt was jailed for four months for fly-tipping at Brook in the New Forest National Park on July 5 2020, when he threatened a member of the public with a crowbar.

He was also jailed for two months for fly-tipping at nearby Bartley on June 13 2020.

Hunt also received custodial sentences for the offences he committed in Southampton and Test Valley.

Derek Darling, New Forest District Council's lead officer for environmental crime investigations, said: "This illegal behaviour shows a total disregard for our beautiful part of the world, using our quiet countryside lanes to dispose of waste.

“The two fly-tips on the same day by Hunt show how active he was.

“We would like to thank the witnesses who came forward which led to this successful prosecution and we will not stop in our efforts to bring offenders like Hunt to court.”

Cllr David Russell is the district council's portfolio holder for people and places.

He said, “Our enforcement and legal teams put a lot of work in to achieving this prosecution and conviction, obtaining statements and carrying out visits, a task made difficult at the height of lockdown.

“This prison sentence demonstrates to anyone thinking of dumping waste illegally that we will take action, and that we will pursue these criminals to the full extent of the law.”