A COUPLE advertised their services as waste collectors on social media then dumped the rubbish at rural spots around town.

Joanne Raven and Clifford Jones made hundreds of pounds collecting waste which they then fly-tipped, costing the council thousands to clean up.

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On Friday, November 29, the pair were spared jail at Warrington Magistrates Court.

The court heard that Raven, from Liverpool, posted adverts on Facebook offering waste removal services, charging unsuspecting victims up to £300 for these services between June and August 2016.

This rubbish was then dumped on Old Alder Lane in Burtonwood, Delph Lane in Winwick and Nicol Avenue and Longbarn Lane in Woolston – having a 'significant detrimental impact on the environment'.

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Boyfriend Jones, from Widnes, was involved in fly-tipping waste on at least one occasion.

Items dumped included a children's tricycle, an oven, furniture, an ironing board, fence panels and suitcases.

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The subsequent clean-up operation cost Warrington Borough Council a total of £5.451.96.

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Raven and Jones were 'motivated by financial gain', having cooked the scheme up in order to clear debts.

They both have two previous convictions for similar offences in the Halton and Knowsley areas, being jailed for eight weeks each at Liverpool Magistrates Court in 2017 for the latter.

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Raven, 44, admitted seven counts of fly-tipping while 56-year-old Jones pleaded guilty to one charge.

The former, who is now working as an administrative assistant, was seen crying in the dock as she was handed an eight-week imprisonment suspended for a year.

She was also told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay compensation of £1,000 plus court costs of £750 and a £115 victim surcharge.

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Unemployed Jones was given a four-week jail sentence, suspended for a year, and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He must pay £450 in compensation, £500 in court costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

Sentencing, deputy district judge Jones said: "You both understand that you face serious charges.

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"On the face of it, these matters are so serious that they have crossed the custody threshold.

"In the circumstances, I'm prepared to suspend this sentence."

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