Roger and Angela Smith, trading as R & A Cleansing Services, based at Ashwell Farm in Coads Green near Callington, pleaded guilty to the offences at Truro Crown Court on 30 January 2026 for illegally storing and disposing of waste, including animal blood.
Both defendants were handed 10-month prison sentences, suspended for two years, to run concurrently on each charge.
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, the couple were also ordered to repay £600,000 and pay £10,000 in prosecution costs.
The court further instructed the defendants to remediate the site within 18 months.
Illegal waste storage and dumping
The court heard that R & A Cleansing Services has operated a liquid waste collection business serving Cornwall for approximately 25 years.
While the business was registered as a waste carrier, it held no environmental permits or exemptions allowing waste to be stored, treated or disposed of at the site.
The EA began investigating following an anonymous report received on 1 February 2023, alleging that tankers carrying liquid waste were being illegally stored and disposed of at Ashwell Farm.
During an inspection, Angela Smith told officers that waste was not being disposed of on site but instead stored in underground tanks.
However, officers observed multiple underground tanks, two pools of heavily polluted water, tanker pipes left on the ground, a pile of mixed domestic and construction waste, and evidence of waste burning.
In a field to the south of the site, the access track was found to be thick with sludge. A tanker pipe was seen draining into the field entrance, indicating that waste was being discharged directly onto agricultural land.
The defendants were instructed to immediately stop storing and disposing of waste at the site.
Range of liquid wastes stored
Waste Transfer Notes later showed that the business collected a range of liquid wastes, including effluent treatment waste, animal tissue waste such as blood, and septic tank sludge.
Investigators found the documentation to be poorly completed or missing key information, including waste quantities, disposal locations, collection details, disposal dates and correct waste codes.
In March 2023, the EA served a notice requiring records relating to the purchase, installation and integrity of the underground storage tanks.
No documentation was provided.
Prosecution and sentencing
The prosecution argued that the defendants had financially benefited from their illegal activities by avoiding the costs associated with proper waste treatment infrastructure and permitting.
Sally Turberville, Enforcement Officer at the EA, said: “Waste criminals should be aware how seriously we take their offending, including the financial benefit they obtain from their illegal activities.
“It was very concerning that large quantities of untreated mixed liquid wastes were stored illegally in unserviceable underground tanks and open pits.
“Waste was discharged straight onto the agricultural ground owned by the defendants and after more than 25 years in the waste collection business, they should have been fully aware of the regulations.
“As the business grew, there was no investment in appropriate equipment or infrastructure, and no application made for an environmental permit.”
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