AN OXFORD businessman who spent tens of thousands of pounds fighting to clear his name said the city council has ‘abused the public purse’.

James Pollitt, who is better known as Ronnie, was cleared of breaching a notice to close a car wash served by the authority in October 2014.

The council said he had been told to stop running the Wash and Go car wash on Abingdon Road – but Mr Pollitt successfully argued he had sold on his responsibility for it and was found not guilty on Thursday.

The entrepreneur, who has run city pubs including the Duke of Monmouth and the Bricklayers Arms, was cleared at Oxford Crown Court last week after a jury failed to reach a verdict at a first trial last year.

He bought a licence from a landlord in summer 2014 to develop land which was formerly used as the Cold Arbour petrol station.

Mr Pollitt, of Boars Hill, said he 'spotted the opportunity' after Tesco Express opened next door but then sold on his share onto businessmen for £35,000 in August 2014.

He said he has spent £50,000 in his defence since the city served the notice. He now plans to claim through central funds.

The 54-year-old told the Oxford Mail: “The council has abused the public purse. The council knew my position. They’ve had a year. This is what my barrister kept saying. He said: 'you’ve had a year so you do you not have any evidence on Mr Pollitt? Why did you not do background checks?'”

He added: “The city council got it in their head, as they are bullies, that they would take me to court for me to just roll over. I said no. I said: 'I am going to take you to the Crown Court', and they never thought I do would in a million years."

As part of the deal to sell the licence on the land, he agreed to seek planning permission for the car wash after an initial bid for it was rejected by Oxford City Council.

Oxford City Council’s board member for planning and regulatory service, Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, said: "We are naturally very disappointed at the jury’s decision.

"The council pursued this case as we believed that a serious breach of planning law had occurred. It was also very important to demonstrate to the public that the council is fully prepared to take legal action to maintain the integrity of the planning process and protect public amenity. Whilst we have been unsuccessful in this case, we have still sent out a message that the council will challenge people who breach planning controls.

“We will now consider our options for further action in light of this decision."

It is understood the land is owned by London-based company Capital Developments (London) Ltd.

A planning application for nine flats was submitted to Oxford City Council on the site in November 2013 but later withdrawn.

The car wash is currently operated by Oxford businessman Ledion Panxha.