Authorities dismantle fly-tipping gang operating illegal landfill in Long Bennington, leading to severe health risks for local residents and significant financial penalties

Authorities dismantle fly-tipping gang operating illegal landfill in Long Bennington, leading to severe health risks for local residents and significant financial penalties

Authorities have recently dismantled a shocking illegal landfill operation in Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, where a fly-tipping gang raked in an estimated £500,000 by charging locals to use a secret dumping ground.

This operation not only profited the criminals but also posed serious health risks to nearby residents, as they were exposed to toxic fumes emanating from the site.

Daily Operations of the Gang

Over a seven-month period, the gang reportedly dumped around 11,000 tonnes of shredded waste at a site the size of a football pitch.

The operation involved the regular burning and burying of this waste, which not only violated environmental laws but also created hazardous conditions for the local community.

Officials estimate that cleaning up the mess will cost taxpayers a staggering £1.2 million.

Investigation and Arrests

Months of investigation by the Environment Agency led to a dramatic raid in April 2020, conducted in collaboration with Lincolnshire Police.

At the time, officers discovered an excavator and a lorry actively dumping waste at the illegal site.

This resulted in the arrest of two individuals.

In total, 12 people and one company were charged with various offenses related to the illegal operation of the site.

Ten individuals pleaded guilty, while the remaining three were found guilty after an extensive eight-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

Sentencing and Consequences

On October 18, the gang members received a collective sentence of 11 years in prison.

Judge Coupland emphasized the severity of their actions, describing the harm caused to the local community as being of the “highest level.”

He criticized the defendants for deliberately concealing their activities through falsified documentation and noted that their repeated offenses, along with the significant financial gain, were aggravating factors in their sentencing.

Community Impact and Future Enforcement

Leigh Edlin, area director for Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, highlighted the organized nature of this illegal waste site and its detrimental impact on legitimate businesses and the local community.

He vowed that enforcement teams would continue to tackle serious illegal waste crime, collaborating with local police, fire services, and councils to hold offenders accountable.

Individual Sentences of the Offenders

The Canner family, consisting of father Paul (53), mother Judith (55), and son Joshua (29), received sentences of 26 months, 16 months, and 16 months, respectively.

Sonia Surpal (52) and Luke Woodward (37), who also admitted guilt for their roles in the operation, were sentenced to 13 and 11 months in prison.

Other offenders, including Peter Wainwright (32) and Nathan Jones (43), received 16-month sentences for their involvement, while Marcus Chapman (39) and Daniel Lippitt (55) were handed suspended sentences of 12 and 9 months, respectively.

Landowners James Baggaley (38) and Marc Greenfield (46), who knowingly allowed the illegal operation to continue, will face sentencing on December 16.

Additionally, Robert Malone (41) and Fletcher Plant Limited, both found guilty of neglecting their waste duty of care, will be sentenced at a later date.

What Lies Ahead

The community is left to grapple with the repercussions of this illegal operation, and authorities remain committed to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.

The focus will be on restoring the environment and safeguarding public health in the wake of this scandal.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn