Two men have been prosecuted after dumping sacks containing cannabis leaves on a country lane in Barston.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council announced that Mark Biddle and Jason Edwards both received fines totalling £2,023 each.

The council said that the two men 'worked together' to fly-tip a number of black refuse sacks containing 'waste cannabis leaf' on Elvers Green Lane on Tuesday, January 7 2020.

Further deposits were made later in the month on Wednesday, January 22 2020. 

Mark Biddle, 48, of Foxwell Close in Birmingham and 42-year-old Jason Edwards of Woodclose Road also in Birmingham, were found guilty of the offences on Friday, April 8 2022 at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

Both men were fined £500 and were also ordered to pay a £75 victim surcharge and £1,448 costs – a total fine of £2,023 each.

Across the area fly-tipping has increased dramatically in recent years with a 12 per cent rise recorded in Warwick district in 2020/21.

Whilst in neighbouring Solihull a total of 4,107 incidents were reported to the council in the same period - only six of which resulted in fines.

A SMBC spokesperson said: "We take great pride in the environmental beauty of Solihull. 

"Solihull Council and our local residents work very hard to maintain the quality of the borough's outdoor spaces. Fly-tipping is unacceptable and shows no respect for the efforts spent by those who take time out of their days to keep the borough clean and tidy.

"Our justice system continues to take these offences very seriously, and I am glad to see the penalty reflects this sentiment. We are very serious about combating anti-social crime such as fly-tipping in Solihull and will continue to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent where possible."

The council urges anyone witnessing a fly-tipping incident to report the matter to the council on 0121 704 8000 or alternatively use the online reporting form available on the council website.