A Birtley man's bid to help his daughter get rid of an old sofa "backfired" leaving him £20 out of pocket.
Peter Sayers, 55, of Leybourne Place, pleaded guilty to failing to take measures to secure transfer of household waste is authorised.
Council solicitor Jill Brown told Gateshead Magistrates Court that the authority had initially questioned Sayers' daughter after a sofa was found dumped behind a house in Edward Road.
However, Sayers got in contact with the council to take the rap, but didn't pay the fixed penalty notice he was issued.
Ms Brown said: "He was asked by his daughter to have rubbish removed, he paid a man with a flat bed truck £60, they left the settee they said they would take it but failed to return."
Sayers' defence solicitor, Kate Matthews, said he was trying to help his daughter and the sofa was later removed.
She said: "He was trying to help his daughter. At the request of his daughter he arranged for people to collect waste.
"There wasn't enough room in the back of the truck and they had to come back for the sofa.
"They came back a couple of days later and removed the sofa from the address.
"Mr Sayers was offered a fixed penalty notice but he is on benefits and the council only gave him 10 days to pay the penalty.
"If he was given more time to pay he wouldn't be in front of court."
Sayers was ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and handed a conditional discharge.
The presiding magistrate, Alison Dixon, said: "We fully understand you were trying to help your daughter and it backfired on you."
