A BARBER shop owner has been fined after nearby residents reported 'hair clippings' being left in their bins.

Franklin Farrell appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court today.

The 46-year-old of Barns Road, Oxford pleaded guilty to one count of failing to provide documents when requested relating to the control of waste.

Prosecutors said that residents in the area had reported 'hair clippings and hair styling packaging' being left in residential bins in March last year.

Oxford City Council investigated and contacted Farrell's hairdressing business - Master Barbers - asking for documentation on waste disposal provisions.

After no response was received he was sent a fixed penalty notice and the case eventually came to the court with Farrell pleading guilty.

Explaining the use of the bins he said he had operated his business since 2006 and had used a bin provided to him by the council for waste.

The court heard that waste was 'one bag a week as it is a very small barbers shop.'

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He claimed that not long after the bins were moved and placed into a locked area and he could continue using the bin as long as nothing sharp went inside.

Farrell said he understood that was the position until the council contacted him, and he will now pay an annual fee of £158.60 to formalise a waste agreement.

Presiding magistrate Nigel Morgan said he 'accepts there has been a certain amount of misunderstanding here'.

Farrell was fined £300 and must pay court costs of £300 and a victim surcharge of £30.