Man accused over 27 tonne fly-tipped pile remanded

The 27-tonne mound of rubbish was dumped in January and blocked Watery Lane, Lichfield

A Staffordshire businessman has appeared in court charged over the flytipping of 27 tonnes of waste that blocked a road.

Darren Sheen, 39, from Uttoxeter is accused of multiple offences - including depositing waste, road traffic infringements, and obstructing the highway, but entered no plea at the Cannock Magistrates' Court hearing.

In addition, his firm Fusion Engineering (Staffordshire) Limited is charged with depositing the waste and obstructing the highway.

In January, Watery Lane in Lichfield was blocked with the rubbish, which measured 15m (50 ft) in length and 2m (6.5 ft) high.

Darren Sheen did not enter a plea during the hearing

Mr Sheen spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth, during the hearing at Cannock Magistrates' Court.

He is also accused of breaching HGV drivers' hours regulations, but gave no indication of his intended plea and was remanded on unconditional bail.

The case was referred to Stafford Crown Court, where the next hearing is due to take place on 4 August.

Mr Sheen, who wore a blue shirt and tie for the 10-minute hearing, is listed as a director of Fusion Engineering, at Companies House.

Lichfield District Council began an investigation after the waste was dumped and contractors had to use a digger to clear the road and restore access to the route.

Prosecutor Mark Jackson requested that the case was serious enough to be sent to Stafford Crown Court, which was agreed by the panel of magistrates.