A 40-year-old man who ignored Environment Agency (EA) warnings to stop illegally importing and burning waste at two Essex sites has been sent to prison for 14 months.
Shane Boutwell of Rivendell Vale, South Woodham Ferrers, who had entered guilty pleas earlier in the year, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 2 August 2022.
The EA says the sentencing came after Boutwell “persistently imported and burnt waste on a large scale” at two sites in Essex.
In June 2020, officers visited land at Bradwell Wick Leisure Plots, Maldon Road, Bradwell-on-Sea after firefighters raised concerns following several fires at the site.
Boutwell was repeatedly instructed to remove waste from both sites and failed to do so.
Officers found large quantities of waste on the site, including waste electricals, household waste, and demolition waste. They also discovered piles of burned waste. They made several further visits and attempted to work with Boutwell, offering him opportunities to stop his activities and clear the site.
Boutwell failed to clear the site and gave officers several different, conflicting accounts.
In September 2020, officers attended another site, owned by Boutwell at Lower Barn Farm, Lower Burnham Road, Latchingdon. They found piles of burning waste with flames up to two metres high. Essex Fire and Rescue attended and discovered a gas cylinder amongst the embers before immediately requesting fire engines to attend.
Environment Agency officers identified large piles of soil heavily contaminated with bricks, concrete, paving slabs, and plastics. They were told by a fire officer that the site was a “cause for concern”.
He operated at a commercial advantage, importing and burning waste on a significant scale.
Prosecuting for the Environment Agency, barrister Barnaby Hone told the court that Boutwell had operated “two professional, illegal, waste disposal sites.”
Environment Agency Enforcement Team Leader, Lesley Robertson, said: “We take illegal waste activity very seriously and will not hesitate to disrupt criminal activity and prosecute those responsible.
“In this case, Boutwell was repeatedly instructed to remove waste from both sites and failed to do so.
“He operated at a commercial advantage, importing and burning waste on a significant scale, undermining legitimate business with little or no regard for the environment or residents.”
Boutwell previously pleaded guilty to operating two waste management facilities, one at Bradwell Wick, and the other at Lower Burnham Road, without a permit.
He also pleaded guilty to disposing of controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution or harm to human health at both sites. He further pleaded guilty to failing to remove the waste from Bradwell Wick.
