A fly-tipper has been named and shamed by the council who prosecuted her for dumping a settee by a block of flats in Gorleston.

Samantha Gallant was seen by a member of the public as she dumped the furniture near communal bins beside a block of flats in Conway Road.

As part of an investigation, Great Yarmouth Borough Council wrote to her under caution and she replied in writing and admitted the offence.

Gallant, aged 48, of Conway Road, then pleaded guilty at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court to an offence of fly-tipping. She was fined £100 and told to pay £150 costs plus a £30 victim surcharge.

The council says it names and shames those convicted of fly-tipping to support its environmental rangers' work to educate people about disposing of waste responsibly – and the consequences of not doing so.

The authority also continues to appeal for public to help to target those who blight the environment by providing information and tip-offs.

Carl Smith, chairman of the council's environment committee, said: 'Fly-tipping is completely illegal and pollutes the environment for everyone. You can easily arrange for bulky waste like old settees to be collected by our operational partner, GYB Services Ltd, for a reasonable fee, or you can take it yourself to the Household Recycling Centre at Caister and dispose of it at no extra cost.

'You can arrange and pay for a bulky waste collection through the council's website. There are also private waste collectors operating in the borough, but please make sure that anyone who takes your waste is first able to show their waste carrier licence from the Environment Agency.

'Great Yarmouth has a zero-tolerance approach to tackling fly-tipping. And as this case proves, the Rangers rely on tip-offs and will investigate reports of dumped waste to try to identify the offender and bring a prosecution where there's enough evidence and where appropriate. All approaches will be treated in confidence.'

Anyone who witnesses an environmental crime in the borough or has information that may help to identify an offender should contact the Environmental Rangers and provide as much information as possible, such as the location and time of offence, what occurred, the description or address of the offender(s), and the registration number of any vehicle involved.

The quickest way to report is to download the Report IT GY App, or you can call 01493 846478.