A PLUMBING firm has been fined for flytipping in a field near Oxford’s Barton estate.

Last Monday, Manchester-based GTN Plumbing was prosecuted for the offence.

Oxford Magistrates’ Court was told the company had failed to ensure it made adequate checks when paying another company to dispose of its waste, which resulted in it being flytipped in a farmer’s field just off Bayswater Road, Barton, within South Oxfordshire District Council land.

The location is one of South Oxfordshire District Council’s flytipping hotspots, and the company was prosecuted and fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £435.50 and a victim surcharge of £100.

GTN was ordered to pay the fine and costs within seven days, but it is not yet known if the payment was made by the deadline, which would have been Tuesday of this week.

All businesses have a duty of care to ensure their commercial waste is disposed of properly by a fully licensed operator.

Environmental protection manager Paul Holland said: “Flytipping really creates an eyesore for both residents and visitors to our district, and not only that, but it costs thousands to clear away and prosecute individuals.

“This case proves that even when a business thinks they may be taking the correct action, there are still steps to take to ensure that the waste is disposed of appropriately.”

Flytipping can be reported by visiting southoxon.gov.uk/ flytipping or calling 03000 610610.