A man has admitted dumping and burning dangerous waste in the garden of home in Witham.

Thomas England, 26, of Hunt Close, Writtle, admitted unlawfully depositing controlled waste at a property in Glebe Crescent, Witham, when appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

After dumping the waste, which included asbestos insulation board, England went on to set it alight.

This lead to a further offence being added to his charge list for the disposal of waste in a manner likely to cause harm to the environment or human health.

England had entered a not guilty plea, however changed this to a guilty plea before the case reached trial.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction over the case, claiming the offences required higher penalties than they were able to give.

England is due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday, June 7.

Braintree Council instructed contractors to remove the hazardous waste from the home and any nearby properties which had also been contaminated.