Bosses jailed over huge illegal landfill

The Environment Agency said at least 100,000 tonnes of waste was brought on to the site at Bignall End

The directors of two firms have been jailed for their part in an illegal landfill operation in Staffordshire.

The amount of waste dumped caused land at Bonnie Braes Farm, Bignall End, to rise by about 6m (19.6 feet), the Environment Agency (EA) said.

At least 100,000 tonnes of waste was brought on to the site between March 2014 and June 2015, it added.

Raymond Bowden, of Jumbo Waste & Metals Ltd, and Joe Frizell of TW Frizell (Haulage and Plant Hire) Ltd were jailed at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Tuesday.

Bowden was given two and a half years in prison, while Frizell was sentenced to two years.

They were among five people and three firms sentenced over the operation, which saw waste from excavation, alongside mixed refuse and even some asbestos, dumped at the site, according the EA.

It said there were also concerns a crucial gas pipe in the area could have been fractured due to the weight of the material.

Speaking after sentencing, a spokesperson for the organisation said: "Illegal waste sites like this, undermine legitimate businesses, undercut their prices, and blight the environment.

"We would urge everyone to check that a waste site is licensed before using them by checking the public register online."

Officials said the weight of the material dumped led to a culvert collapse, causing significant flooding during heavy rain.

They also said the illegal operation caused significant disruption on nearby lanes which were unsuitable for large vehicles.

The sentences were handed down at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Tuesday, following a trial in November:

• Raymond Bowden was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. He was also disqualified from holding the position of a director for eight years and three months.

• Joe Frizell was sentenced to two years in prison. He was also disqualified from holding the position of a director for six years.

• James Bowden was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also told to undertake 240 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from holding the position of a director for five years.

• Victoria Webb-Johnson was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £8,000 in costs plus an £80 victim surcharge.

• Stefan Paraszko was sentenced to 11 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.

• VWJ Earth Moving Limited was fined £11,000 and £8,000 costs.

• Jumbo Waste and Metals Limited was fined £1, as the company is in liquidation.

• TW Frizell (Haulage & Plant Hire) Ltd was also fined £1, as the company is in liquidation.

In addition to these offences, Frizell was also sentenced alongside RJC Regeneration Limited and Mark Oulton for dumping waste without an environmental permit at Elms Farm, in Betley, Crewe.

He was sentenced to two months in jail, to run concurrently with his other term.

RJC Regeneration Limited was fined £8,000 and a victim surcharge.

Joe Frizell, RJC Regeneration Limited and Mark Oulton pleaded guilty on 18 July at Chester Crown Court to offences relating to the depositing of illegal waste at Doddlespool Farm and Elms Farm.

Mark Oulton was sentenced by Chester Crown Court on 8 September 2023 to nine months in jail, suspended for 18 months, as well as 130 hours unpaid work, a £5,000 fine and costs of £27,000.

He was also made subject to an order requiring him to remove illegal waste at Doddlespool Farm by 8 September 2024.