Court fines Lincolnshire cousins in waste crime probe
The Environment Agency ha prosecuted two Lincolnshire farmers who broke waste regulations by starting a waste fire and constructing an area of hardstanding.
Fines and costs totalling nearly £7,000 were imposed on two cousins from North Owersby, near Market Rasen, who admitted the offences at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Monday 27 July 27, according to the Environment Agency.
Ian Wilmot, 61, of Hall Farm, was ordered to pay a total of £3,990.55 made up of a £792 fine, surcharge of £316.80 and costs of £2,881.75.
Mark Wilmot, 66, of Bramwill Hall Farm, was given a 15-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a total of £2,820.25 made up of a £26 surcharge and ordered to pay costs of £2794.25.
The court was told that surveillance by Environment Agency officers alerted them to the removal of waste from one farm to another in the Market Rasen area.
This led the officers to Hall Farm where it was found that waste had been deposited. This included brick rubble contaminated by wood, plastics, plasterboard and roofing felt.
One of the officers also witnessed a fire on the site which included waste material, said the Agency.
When interviewed, Mark Wilmot admitted that between June 27 and July 7 2023 he had transferred the mixed waste material from a nearby farm to that of his cousin’s Ian, said the Agency.
It added that though he had a waste carrier’s licence, Mark Wilmot did not check there was an environmental permit in place. He was also asked to provide relevant waste transfer notes for the material transferred but none were forthcoming.
Ian Wilmot pleaded guilty to carrying out an operation for the deposit, treatment and storage of mixed waste.
Mark Wilmot pleaded guilty to knowingly causing the deposit of mixed waste in or on land at Hall Farm, North Owersby when there was no environmental permit in force and failing to comply with the duty of care to ensure that there was a written description of the waste.
Peter Stark, Enforcement team leader for the Environment Agency in Lincolnshire and Northants, commented: “Farmers and landowners need to be aware of the environmental regulations and how to comply as we will not hesitate action against those who are breaking the law.
“We will provide advice and guidance to people before they start any waste activities and there is guidance on our website.”
Anyone who suspects someone is operating illegally can call the Environment Agency 24/7 on 0800 80 70 60 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.