In August 2022, the regulator said Shane Boutwell, 41, from Maldon, was sentenced to 14 months in prison for illegally importing and burning waste “on a large scale” at two sites in Essex (see letsrecycle.com story).
He was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment at Chelmsford Crown Court on 2 August 2022 and issued with a Court Order to remove the waste at both sites upon his release.
In an update on Friday (12 January), the Agency explained that after leaving prison, Mr Boutwell “started to remove the waste and restore the land at both Lower Burnham Road and Bradwell Wick”. The regulator said he complied with this court order.
Agency officers monitored his progress during regular site visits, deploying an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV, or drone), the statement said.
Mr Boutwell was however then ordered back to court for consideration of claims for prosecution costs, the Agency said.
The statement went on to say that Mr Boutwell appeared at Chelmsford crown court on 8 January 2024 for this costs order. He was ordered to pay £85,000 in Environment Agency costs together with a victim surcharge of £156.
This prosecution demonstrates we will continue to fight illegal waste crime and bring those responsible to justice
- Environment Agency
‘Pleased’
Environment Agency enforcement team leader Lesley Robertson said: “The Environment Agency is pleased that Mr Boutwell complied with his court order. He has removed the waste he illegally imported to both Lower Burnham Road and Bradwell Wick.
“He operated at a commercial advantage, importing and burning waste on a significant scale. He undermined legitimate business with little or no regard for the environment or residents.
“The Environment Agency will continue to take action to prevent and disrupt criminal activity. This prosecution demonstrates we will continue to fight illegal waste crime and bring those responsible to justice.”
Incident
In June 2020, the Environment Agency said its officers visited land at Bradwell Wick Leisure Plots Maldon Road, Bradwell-on-Sea after “firefighters raised concerns following several fires at the site”.
The regulator noted that its officers found large quantities of waste on the site, including waste electricals, household waste, and demolition waste.
“They also discovered piles of burned waste. Officers then made several visits and attempted to work with Boutwell, offering him opportunities to stop his activities and clear the site. He failed to do so,” the statement read.
In September 2020, officers attended another site owned by Boutwell at Lower Barn Farm, Lower Burnham Road, Latchingdon, where “they found piles of burning waste with flames up to 2 metres high”.
They also identified large piles of soils heavily contaminated with bricks, concrete, paving slabs and plastic. Essex Fire and Rescue attended and discovered a gas cylinder amongst the embers before immediately requesting fire engines to attend. They were told by a fire officer that the site was a “cause for concern”.
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