A MAN has been fined for dumping garden waste, including cannabis plants, in the Oxfordshire countryside.

Marenglen Dulaj, of Magnolia Court, Swindon was ordered to pay more than £1,600 by Oxford Magistrates' Court at a hearing on March 27 after pleading guilty to the charge of using a motor vehicle to fly-tip.

Magistrates heard that on April 21, 2017 on land off Exlade Street between Woodcote and Checkendon, Dulaj allowed his van to be used to dump rubbish sacks containing compost, plant pots, plastic bottles, plant food containers, cardboard, as well as green waste including cannabis stalks and leaves.

Oxford Mail:

The rubbish, including cannabis plants, dumped off Exlade Street   Picture supplied by South Oxfordshire District Council

He told the court that he had loaned the van to a friend, however, he was still liable as he was the owner of the vehicle at the time.

The court ordered him to pay a fine of £850, a victim surcharge of £85 and £500 costs and £201.42 compensation. 

Councillor Elizabeth Gillespie, South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member responsible for Environmental Protection, said: “Fly-tipping is an extremely selfish act which scars the countryside and has an aesthetic and financial cost for residents.

"We will always prosecute offenders whenever possible.”