Yahoo News County Durham scrap collector ran illegal waste site and burned waste on the land
A County Durham scrap collector who operated an illegal waste site and burned waste on the land has avoided jail.
Lawrence Crossling, 41, of Salters Lane in Shotton Colliery, pleaded guilty to operating an illegal waste site and burning waste at Durham Crown Court on Wednesday May 8. The court heard that in May 2022, officers from Durham County Council saw a fire burning at a compound at Salters Lane - including plastics, furniture, wood, metal and a boxing bag, with evidence of previous fires.
In January 2023 officers from the Environment Agency, council and Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service attended the site and found the ground covered in waste, most of which had been reduced to ash. There was a fire burning, and piles of waste included demolition and construction waste, and metal waste such as a fridge freezer, washing machines, a shopping trolley and a bathtub.
In May 2023 Environment Agency officers issued letters that included instructions to clear the site of all waste by June 9, 2023, and a request to attend for an interview. On June 14, the officers met Crossling at the compound, where he was told he could not carry out waste activities on the land.
The site was still covered in waste. Crossling was interviewed again in July and admitted having hardcore material delivered to address flooding issues.
He said he and his sons collected scrap and this was deposited and burned on the land. He also said he allowed others to deposit scrap at the compound, but had no paperwork for any of the transactions.
Crossling was fined £800 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80; he was also fined £50 for breaching a suspected prison sentence from a previous unrelated offence. He was given one year to pay the £850 fine or risk 28 days in prison.
Gary Wallace, area environment manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said: "Our officers witnessed Crossling’s land carpeted with waste with evidence of multiple fires, showing a complete disregard for the law. Waste crime has a terrible impact on the community and environment as well as undermining legitimate businesses.
"We worked hard with our partners to ensure Crossling was brought before the court for his actions and hopefully this prosecution sends out a message to others that we will not tolerate waste crime in our communities."
