Illegal waste site operator fined £1m

The firm trading in catalytic converters without a waste permit the Environment Agency said

A company has been fined £1m for running an illegal waste site handling thousands of catalytic converters.

Platinum Group Metals Recycling Ltd, of Long Sutton in Lincolnshire, "dealt in dangerous catalytic converters without an environmental permit", the Environment Agency (EA) said.

The company's sole director, Edvars Stancik, 31, was convicted at a previous hearing.

Stancik is believed to be in Lithuania and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, the EA added.

"Neither Stancik nor the company obtained an environmental permit before buying and selling thousands of catalytic converters," the EA said.

Passing sentence at Lincoln Crown Court last week, Recorder John Hardy KC said a fine of this level was necessary to reflect the "gravity of offending".

The same judge made a confiscation order against the firm in May.

He ruled that Stancik had made a benefit of £4,312,925.70 from his criminal activity while his company made a benefit of £4,344,827.60.

The court heard assets of £495,280.88 were available from the company, made up of cash in a bank account and seized catalytic converters.

Stancik's only asset was £30,934.16 from equity in a house he sold before his trial, the court was told.

An EA spokesperson said: "This sentence sends a clear message to people and businesses that if they commit waste crime they will be fully punished.

"We continue to work alongside partners, including Lincolnshire Police, to reduce crime in the waste sector."

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