Bacup men handed suspended sentences for illegal waste dumping
Three men have been sentenced for operating an illegal waste site in Bacup, Lancashire and fly-tipping 40 tonnes of waste outside Rossendale Borough Council offices.
The lengthy investigation by Environment Agency enforcement officers and Public Protection officers from Rossendale Borough Council also required the services of a specialist tachograph officer from Lancashire Constabulary who plotted the journey the offenders took on the morning of the fly-tip.
Benjamin Harrison, 22, of Rochdale Road, Bacup pleaded guilty to failing to apply for a permit, as required by law, and failing to comply with an enforcement notice. An extensive investigation by the Environment Agency established that many thousands of tonnes of waste was brought onto the site at Bacup and tipped illegally, including significant quantities of household waste and contaminated excavation waste.
Paul Harrison, 51 of Rochdale Road, Bacup, and father of Benjamin Harrison, pleaded guilty to the same charges. Paul Harrison was also found guilty of the fly-tipping of 40 tonnes of waste outside the Council offices at Futures Park, Bacup.
Paul Bell, 58, of Stockport, the driver of the wagon responsible for the 40 tonne fly-tip also pleaded guilty to the fly-tipping charge.
Benjamin Harrison received an 8-month custodial sentence suspended for 18 months.
Paul Harrison was sentenced to a total of 18 months suspended for 18 months for all offences. He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.
Paul Bell, the driver, received an 18-month sentence suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours unpaid work. The court also ordered a rehabilitation activity requirement of 10 days.
Councillor Adrian Lythgoe, Lead Member for Environment and Corporate Services said: "The actions of these men have not only harmed our environment but have also undermined the efforts of businesses that comply with the law, and they have cost the council and residents unnecessary expense.
“The sentences support the strong stance that the Council takes on offenders who blight our communities and environment and we are pleased with the judges' decision. The trio have shown little regard for the community they live and operate in, and we are delighted that Operation Trident has brought these offenders to task."
In sentencing the three men, the Judge also mentioned that the use of false registration plates in the commission of the offence was an aggravating factor.
Costs were held over until a proceeds of crime hearing requested by the Environment Agency could be heard.