A man in Northumberland has been ordered to carry out 260 hours of unpaid work after being found guilty of storing and burning waste on an illegal waste site.
The Environment Agency said Matthew Andrew Leiper, 44, “made his neighbours’ lives a misery” during lockdown by storing and burning waste on an illegal waste site.
Leiper cleared land he owned south of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, before dumping scrap vehicles and waste, and lighting bonfires, causing the smell of smoke filling nearby homes between March and July 2020.
Following an eight-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Leiper was found guilty on 11 October of operating a waste site without an environmental permit and burning waste in a way likely to cause pollution to the environment or harm to human health.
Leiper’s offending caused misery for the community, clearly impacting on their health and well-being.
One neighbour described a fire in March 2020 which burned for several days. She developed a cough, which affected her sleep and said the fire caused distress to an already unwell family member.
Neighbours also witnessed commercial vehicles depositing waste on the site and saw Facebook posts from Leiper advertising vehicle parts for sale.
In March 2020, the Environment Agency said its officers visited the site and saw scrap vehicles and the remains of a bonfire where mattress springs, and metal and plastic waste were visible. They told Leiper he was operating an illegal waste site and to stop.
Despite being told to cease activity, during a follow-up visit in June 2020, officers saw a pile of smouldering mixed waste measuring 8ft by 15ft, and a separate unlit bonfire containing broken pallets and plastic.
Gary Wallace, Environment Agency area environment manager in the North East, commented: “Our priority is the protection of people and the environment and Leiper’s offending caused misery for the community, clearly impacting on their health and well-being and causing pollution to the local area.
“Our officers have worked hard to bring this case to court and the investigation demonstrates that we will not tolerate illegal waste activity.
“I’d like to thank the community who gave vital evidence in court and who have supported us throughout this investigation to ensure Leiper was brought to justice for his crimes.”
