An individual in Oxford County didn't get a lump of coal for Christmas — but they did receive a bag of garbage police allege had been dumped illegally two days before.

Provincial police say an off-duty officer saw someone dumping garbage on Highway 59 in Norwich early Monday afternoon.

When the officer returned to work on Christmas Day, police say they picked up the bag of garbage and returned it "to its rightful owner."

A 30-year-old from Oxford County has been charged with littering on the highway, which is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act.