Farmer receives suspended prison sentence for waste offences
A farmer has been given a suspended prison sentence for illegally storing and treating waste on his land.
Michael Waugh, 53, of Marsh Lane, Escrick, York, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, at York Crown Court on 16 December 2024.
He was also ordered to pay £36,000 in costs and has been disqualified from being a company director for four years.
The court heard that Waugh had been storing and treating waste on his land without a permit since 2017.
The waste included animal carcasses, tyres, plastics and metals.
The Environment Agency (EA) investigated the site and found that the waste was being stored in an unhygienic and unsafe manner.
The EA also found that Waugh had been burning the waste, which was causing air pollution.
Waugh pleaded guilty to four offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Sentencing Waugh, Judge Simon Hickey said that he had shown a “flagrant disregard” for the environment.
He said that Waugh’s actions had put the local community at risk.
“You have shown a complete disregard for the environment and for the health of the local community,” Judge Hickey said.
“Your actions have caused significant harm to the environment and have put the local community at risk.
“I hope that this sentence will serve as a warning to others who may be tempted to commit similar offences.”
The EA welcomed the sentence.
A spokesperson for the EA said: “We are pleased that the court has recognised the seriousness of these offences.
“This sentence sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate illegal waste activities.
“We will continue to work with our partners to protect the environment and the health of our communities.”
Farmer receives suspended prison sentence for waste offences
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