Coronation Street star Marsh accepts flytipping caution

Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh has accepted a caution for flytipping and paid a council's clean-up costs, a court heard today.

Marsh was charged with flytipping after some of her soap scripts were found in bags of dumped rubbish.

But after "new evidence" came to light Salford City Council, which was bringing the prosecution, decided to withdraw the charges.

Marsh accepted the caution but claims she was taken in by a conman who she paid to dispose of her rubbish.

Paul Scott, prosecuting the case on behalf of Salford City Council, told Manchester City Magistrates' Court: "In light of new evidence and information the city council has reviewed this case following detailed representations made by the defendant.

"After careful consideration it is believed it would not be in the public interest to continue with the prosecution."

He said Marsh, 36, had "admitted her guilt to this charge" by accepting "a simple caution".

The court heard that the former singer, who did not attend the hearing, had also paid prosecution costs which included the costs of clean-up and investigation.

Mr Scott added: "It is unlikely the offence will be repeated."

Chairman of the bench Chris Hampson withdrew the charges against the defendant.

Officials launched an investigation after a pile of rubbish was abandoned by a roadside, the Manchester Evening News reported.

It included building rubble and pieces of furniture - plus some old scripts which were traced back to the actress.

A spokeswoman for the mother of three told the newspaper she fell victim to a conman who offered to dispose of the rubbish from her home during renovation work.

Marsh, who is engaged to ex-Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas, 32, was said to be "horrified" to learn of the prosecution.

She claims that a man dressed in a yellow high-visibility jacket knocked on her door and offered to remove the rubbish - so she paid him #60 and forgot all about it, the MEN reported.

Gena Merrett, Salford City Council assistant mayor for environment, said: "Our enforcement and prosecution policy requires us to constantly review cases in light of new evidence and information.

"After careful consideration of the facts, it is believed that it would not be in the public interest to continue with a prosecution.

"Ms Marsh has admitted her guilt to this charge by accepting a simple caution and has demonstrated her regret by paying all costs incurred by the council both in terms of the clean up and carrying out the investigation."