Stephen Coates received a 17-week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months for storing hazardous waste and asbestos at a site in Aldbrough.
Coates pleaded guilty to two charges relating to the storage of hazardous waste and operating an illegal waste facility without a permit. He was also ordered to clear the waste site within 12 months and pay the Environment Agency £2,000 in compensation and costs.
The court heard how Coates is the owner and operator of a site on Hull Road on the outskirts of the village of Aldbrough.
An investigation by the Environment Agency found Coates was storing abandoned corroding chemical drums, intermediate bulk containers, shipping containers, old tyres and flooring materials with the appearance of containing asbestos on his land next to a residential house over five years from March 2017 to March 2022.
The seriousness of this sentence sends out a message that waste crime will not be tolerated.
Coates failed to remove the waste when ordered to do so after the Environment Agency served him with a notice. The Environment Agency cleared some of the waste at its own cost of £120,000 but 60 tonnes of chemicals remain on the site.
In sentencing, the District Judge said this case was reckless with a wilful disregard for the environment. In mitigation, it was acknowledged that Coates had entered guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity.
Following the hearing, an Environment Agency spokesperson, commented: “The seriousness of this sentence sends out a message that waste crime will not be tolerated.
“Waste criminals undercut legitimate business, damage our environment, and are a blight on local communities. We encourage people to report any illegal waste activity to our 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060.”
