A TAXI driver from Witney has been ordered to pay almost £2,000 for not getting rid of his waste properly.

Stephen Ring, of Pine Rise, was found guilty of failing in his duty of care whilst disposing household waste at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on June 17.

The 28-year-old had denied the charge but after being convicted was fined £350 and ordered to pay £1,600 in costs and a £35 victim surcharge.

West Oxfordshire District Council environmental enforcement officers investigated two fly tips last September and found reference to Ring’s address at one of them.

The council said he falsely accused a waste collection company of taking the waste away and dumping it.

Magistrates found that the company had no involvement and Ring had made no attempt to ensure his waste was disposed correctly as they ruled on the case.

David Harvey, the council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “This case emphasises that fly-tipping is a serious offence and that everyone has a duty of care to dispose of their waste properly, otherwise they face prosecution.

“It is also a reminder that only waste carriers registered by the Environment Agency can remove waste legally.

“To protect residents we advise them to check that traders removing waste for them have a waste carrier licence and that they also obtain a receipt.

“Anyone found to be removing waste illegally will be fined.”

Large amounts of waste can be taken to authorised sites such as Dix Pit in Stanton Harcourt or transferred to companies holding a waste carrier’s licence issued by the Environment Agency.

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