“Prolific” Lancashire waste criminal, John Leslie Allison, 77, has been sent back to prison for 3 years and 5 months after failing to pay back money he made from his illegal waste activities.
In a case brought by the Environment Agency, Allison was sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates Court on 7 September, after a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to appear in court in July 2023.
Allison had previously been given a jail term of 3 years of immediate imprisonment on 23 July 2021 for undertaking illegal waste activities at two sites in Lancashire without a permit.
In January 2023, Preston Crown Court heard how Allison earned £840,814 from his illegal waste activities. He was ordered to pay £368,682.50, fixed by the total value of assets available to Allison at that time under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
This custodial sentence sends out a strong signal to others that we will continue to fight tirelessly to combat waste crime.
The Environment Agency says Allison allowed hazardous, large-scale, mixed household and commercial waste materials to be deposited at two sites in Colne without a permit, which led to a “number of significant fires” and numerous complaints from the public.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency, commented: “This custodial sentence sends out a strong signal to others that we will continue to fight tirelessly to combat waste crime and bring those responsible to justice.
“Waste crime isn’t a faceless offence. It impacts communities, the environment, and legitimate businesses – together we can fight this illegal activity.”
