Waste removal failure lands man with £1,500 cost 

A man has been ordered to pay £1,536 after admitting responsibility for failing to remove rubbish left on public land in Didcot during landscaping work. 

Jack Young, 27, of Tower Close, Marcham, attended Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 11 July 2025. 

Magistrates heard how, in September 2024, Poppies Landscapes Ltd were employed to do some work by residents at a property in Penpont Water, Didcot and 50 per cent deposit was paid up front. 

In October 2024, Poppies started work and dug out the garden area and placed the waste on public highway land.  Shortly afterwards, the work stopped and Poppies then failed to remove the waste left behind or refund the customer’s deposit.   

The court was advised that Poppies Landscapes Limited is no longer trading and all assets have gone.  Accordingly, proceedings against the business were withdrawn and the case proceeded against Jack Young, as the sole director of the company.   

Magistrates heard that there had been a complete lack of engagement from Mr Young throughout the investigation.  Despite the company being advised that it was their responsibility to remove the waste from where they had unlawfully dumped it, and numerous promises to remove the waste, they failed to do so, and South Oxfordshire District Council was therefore forced to carry out the removal work at taxpayers’ expense. 

Mr Young pleaded guilty to the waste duty of care offences laid against him and a failure to comply with a notice requiring him to provide all waste transfer notes in respect of his commercial waste.   

In sentencing, Magistrates took into account his early guilty plea and imposed a fine of £666.  Mr Young was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £266 and costs of £604. 

Cllr Sam James-Lawrie, Cabinet Member for Environment at South Oxfordshire District Council said: “This case sends a clear message that businesses and individuals cannot walk away from their environmental responsibilities. Fly-tipping and failure to remove rubbish from public land like this harms our communities and leave taxpayers to foot the bill. We will not hesitate to pursue those who fail in their duty of care.”