Essex farm allowed to become illegal dump

A landowner has admitted allowing his farm to become an illegal rubbish tip.

Economic consultant Neil Spooner, 52, told magistrates in Essex that three unknown men had been given permission to dump rubble on Little Tressels Farm near Margaretting Tye.

Instead they dumped tonnes of waste, including hospital dressings and syringes. Magistrates heard the waste had devalued the farm by £1.5m and clearing it would cost about £500,000.

Spooner is due to be sentenced next month at Chelmsford Crown Court.