Householders who used Facebook to find someone to remove unwanted items had discovered the rubbish was fly-tipped in woodland.

Graham Goodier, aged 26, of Colwyn Bay, received an eight weeks suspended jail term and must do 240 hours unpaid work. In addition he has to pay £922 in costs for the case and compensation for clearing up the mess.

Goodier admitted four offences of fly-tipping between November 2016 and the following February.

Council prosecutor Delyth Crisp said a man who wanted rubbish taken to the local authority tip before he moved house had paid £30 to two men in a van. But items including mattresses were found at Bryndansi Woods, Llanelian.

Two brothers arranging a house clearance at Bodelwyddan paid £360 but items were dumped in Penmachno Forest by Goodier.

Goodier chose the forest for a second time to fly-tip. The prosecutor said the last offence, involving old fridges, was in Gwydir Forest – where there was a site of special scientific interest.

Miss Crisp said the offences were committed for financial gain.

A probation officer said Goodier felt his behaviour was “disgusting.” He had been suffering financial hardship.

Graham Parry, defending at Llandudno magistrates’ court, said the offences were during a short period. “He accepted it was a stupid thing to have done,” the solicitor added.