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Environment Agency slams magistrates over small fines for waste offences

The Environment Agency has criticised a magistrates court for fining a man only 1,200 when he had saved more than 26,000 by failing to obtain a waste management licence.

Martin Middlecote, trading as Wye Waste of Ross on Wye, was fined the 1,200 and ordered to pay 500 costs at Leominster Magistrates Court last week after he pleaded guilty to waste offences.

The court had been told that the Environment Agency, which brought the prosecution, estimated that he had saved more than 26,000 between 1998 and 2000 by failing to bring his site up to an acceptable standard and not having a licence. Mr Middlecote had previously been prosecuted in November 1997, for similar offences when he was fined 1,800.

Speaking after the hearing environment protection officer Andrew Osbaldiston, said: “This is a very disappointing result bearing in mind the cost savings that have been made by Mr Middlecote, which were clearly demonstrated by the Agency in court. However the Agency will continue to pursue those who operate waste facilities illegally with a view to bringing them before the courts.”

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