A teenager who admitted dumping builders’ waste in an area of outstanding natural beauty has been fined.
James Johnston, 19, of Bluebell Way, Carterton, admitted flytipping cardboard boxes and other waste at the side of a country lane near Asthall in west Oxfordshire in September 2008.
He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £120 costs and a £15 victim surcharge when he appeared at Banbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
A spokesman for West Oxfordshire District Council said the case was the third successful prosecution against flytippers by its environmental enforcement team.
The spokesman said: “The team investigates every flytipping incident reported, which may involve the use of covert surveillance.
“Information-sharing with the police and other local authorities is helping to reduce incidents and bring offenders to justice.”
Council leader Barry Norton said: “Flytipping costs the council and the public purse a great deal of money and we hope that successful prosecutions such as this act as a deterrent.”
Flytipping carries a maximum fine of £50,000 or up to five years in jail.
In 2007/08 there were 651 reported cases of flytipping in west Oxfordshire — down from 736 the previous year.
Anyone with information on flytipping in west Oxfordshire can call 01993 861060 or go to westoxon.gov.uk/reportit
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