The Environment Agency (EA) has successfully prosecuted three men in relation to an illegal waste site on a Derbyshire farm where a fire broke out in 2020
As reported by the EA, Joseph Kidd, Anthony Melland, and Adam Swindells finally admitted to “depositing shredded waste” at a farm in Buxton after initially denying the charges. It was found that they had no environmental permit and “failed to keep transfer notes”.
Firefighters were called to a blaze at the farm on 9 November 2020, where they discovered “shredded waste and tyres on fire”.
The EA stated: “Whilst tackling the fire a JCB Fastrac and trailer, driven by Swindells, arrived at the farm containing a further 8 tonnes of shredded waste.”
A joint investigation was later carried out by EA officials and Derbyshire Police’s rural crime team in which they obtained mobile phone records showing evidence of previous waste deposits at the farm, BBC News reported.
Appearing at Derby Magistrates’ Court on 5 December, each of the men was fined and ordered to pay a victim surcharge, with total costs coming to £13,970.
Lead investigator for the EA, Brian Jones said: “The Environment Agency takes its responsibility to protect people and the environment seriously.
“This site posed a significant environmental threat due to the high risk of fire and potentially significant impact to local communities and amenities.”
Andy Shaw, from Derbyshire Police’s Rural Crime team, added:
“Swindells, Kidd, and Melland could have been in no doubt about their illegal activities and the potentially serious environmental and health-related issues that they could have caused.
“Thankfully, members of the public phoned the Fire Service reporting concerns about the large blaze the trio had set – and we were able to attend and swiftly arrest them.
“It is important to remember that this kind of crime is not victimless, and the resulting fines show the seriousness with which the courts take these matters.
“It also shows the excellent partnership working between the Force and Environment Agency.”