Father and son ran illegal waste that dumped 2,000 tonnes at farm

Three men behind an illegal waste site in East Lancashire which resulted in 40 tonnes of rubbish being dumped outside council offices have avoided jail.

It comes after a lengthy investigation by Environment Agency enforcement officers and Public Protection officers from Rossendale Borough Council. They also required the services of a specialist tachograph officer from Lancashire Constabulary who plotted the journey the offenders took on the morning of the fly-tip.

It established that many thousands of tonnes of waste was brought onto the site at The Farm, Rochdale Road at Bacup and tipped illegally, including significant quantities of household waste and contaminated excavation waste. Benjamin Harrison, 22, of Rochdale Road, Bacup pleaded guilty to failing to apply for a permit, as required by law, and failing to comply with an enforcement notice.

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Paul Harrison, of Rochdale Road, Bacup, and father of Benjamin Harrison, pleaded guilty to the same charges. The 51-year-old was also found guilty of the fly-tipping of 40 tonnes of waste outside the Rossendale Borough Council offices at Futures Park, Bacup.

Paul Bell, 58, of Stockport, the driver of the wagon responsible for the 40 tonne fly-tip also pleaded guilty to the fly-tipping charge. Benjamin Harrison received an eight-month custodial sentence suspended for 18 months.

Paul Harrison was sentenced to a total of 18 months suspended for 18 months for all offences. He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.

Paul Bell, the driver, received an 18-month sentence suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours unpaid work. The court also ordered a rehabilitation activity requirement of 10 days.

Councillor Adrian Lythgoe, Lead Member for Environment and Corporate Services said: "The actions of these men have not only harmed our environment but have also undermined the efforts of businesses that comply with the law, and they have cost the council and residents unnecessary expense. The sentences support the strong stance that the Council takes on offenders who blight our communities and environment and we are pleased with the judges' decision.

"The trio have shown little regard for the community they live and operate in, and we are delighted that Operation Trident has brought these offenders to task."

In sentencing the three men, the Judge also mentioned that the use of false registration plates in the commission of the offence was an aggravating factor. Costs were held over until a proceeds of crime hearing requested by the Environment Agency could be heard.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We are glad to see the outcome of this prosecution. We gave extensive advice and guidance but despite this, both Paul and Benjamin Harrison failed to register for the relevant permits and accepted further waste onto site. llegal waste sites like this undermine legitimate businesses, undercut their prices, and blight the environment.

"We will continue to work tirelessly to tackle environmental crime and we are committed to ensuring that appropriate environmental standards are adhered to. I would urge everyone to check that a waste site is licenced before using them by checking the public register online at GOV.uk.

"If people suspect criminal activity, they should report it to our 24-hour incident hotline 0800 807060 or anonymously through CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111 and give as much detail as possible. Let’s work together to stamp out waste crime and protect our beautiful countryside."