Drainage company fined almost £56,000 for the unlawful depositing and disposal of liquid waste.
A drainage company from Longridge, Preston were fined almost £56,000 for the unlawful depositing and disposal of liquid waste – the first ever prosecution of this type in the North West.
A and D Drains Services Limited and its director, Mr David Rodrigues were sentenced yesterday in Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty in January to eight charges, each brought by the Environment Agency – four in relation to illegal disposals of liquid waste and four in relation to creating false paperwork to cover up its illegal actions.
Whilst sentencing, the High Court Judge recognised the seriousness of the case where the company was paid and trusted by its customers to dispose of waste liquids lawfully, but instead put the waste down the drain systems. They were therefore penalised accordingly.
The Judge imposed a £15,900 confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act and the company and it’s director, David Rodriguez, were also ordered to pay combined fines of £40,000 which included £22,500 costs to the Environment Agency and a £15 victim surcharge. All of which must be paid within 12 months, or Mr David Rodrigues would face 12 months imprisonment.
Jennie Frieze prosecuting for the Environment Agency said: “This is the first ever prosecution of this type brought about by the Environment Agency in the North West under the Proceeds of Crime Act and is also the first ever prosecution of a drainage company for such a crime. The sentencing reflects the seriousness of the waste crimes the company committed.
“This case took a huge amount of work by the Environment Agency leading to the prosecution of 269 illegal disposals of liquid wastes, as well as a prosecution for illegitimate behaviour whereby the company tried to cover up their illegal actions.
“The liquids disposed of included wastes from septic tanks, petrol stations (hazardous waste) and industrial sites and like all unlawful disposals of waste, has the potential to cause harm to the environment and human health.
“The message from this prosecution is clear – the Environment Agency is able to trace waste criminals and put an end to their unlawful operations.”
Source: Environment Agency
