Environment Agency’s confiscation case collapses

Following a hearing lasting several days at Hereford Crown Court, the Environment Agency withdrew one of the largest confiscation applications that they have ever made in a waste crime prosecution. The EA had alleged unlawful tipping in excess of 66,000 tonnes and claimed the Defendants had jointly benefitted by over £4 million. The EA also applied for the directors to be disqualified and for over £130,000 in costs. Following the contested hearing the director was sentenced in accordance with his basis of plea to fines totalling £8,000. No confiscation or director’s disqualification order was made and over £100,000 of the EA’s costs were disallowed.

Robert Morris appeared for the first defendant.

23rd February 2016