The four men accused of illegally exporting waste to Brazil in late 2008 and early 2009 entered pleas at a pre-trial hearing at the Old Bailey this morning (April 12).
The defendants, Jonathan Coombe, 41, of Romford, Simon Edwards, 46, of Loughton in Essex, Julio Da Costa, 51, and Juliano Da Costa, 27, both of Swindon, all face charges relating to the alleged illegal export of waste to South America in contravention of the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Act 2007.
The charges were read out by the court clerk as transporting waste for recovery to a country in which the OECD decision does not apply.
Edwards Waste Paper Ltd and Edwards Recycling Ltd, both companies owned by Mr Edwards, were also before the court in relation to the charges.
All the parties entered pleas with Mr Coombe, Mr Edwards and Edwards Waste Paper Ltd pleading guilty, while the Da Costas pleaded not guilty to the same charges. It was decided that Edwards Recycling Ltd would not answer to the charges, as the company is dormant.
Todays plea management hearing at Londons Central Criminal Court, commonly known as the Old Bailey, was presided over by Judge Gordon.
Trial
The Da Costas will now face a trial by jury, with proceedings set to begin on October 29 at the Central Criminal Court in London. The Court will not begin sentencing on the defendants who have pleaded guilty until the trial has concluded.
At a hearing in January 2012 at the City of London Magistrates Court, it was alleged that the defendants had exported 89 containers of household waste marked as plastics for recycling to Brazil in 2008 and 2009. The charges followed on from a two-year investigation carried out by the Environment Agency, in partnership with Brazilian customs authorities.
The prosecution team had been keen to ensure that the trial was heard at Crown Court due to the public interest and the scale of the alleged offences.
Andy Higham, head of the EAs National Crime Team said: The Environment Agency takes waste crime seriously and will pursue offenders through the courts.
Illegal waste exports risk harm to human health and the environment in the country of export, it also undermines law-abiding recycling businesses back home. There is a legitimate export market for recyclable material, but those considering flouting the laws should know we will take vigorous action where there is evidence of waste being exported illegally.
All of the accused remain on unconditional bail until the trial.
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