Illegal tip netted waste crook more than £70,000
A Cornish man must pay back £72,500 he made running an illegal waste business or face a spell in jail.
The case against Martin Harvey was brought by the Environment Agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
It followed multiple warnings to Harvey, all of which he ignored, as he illegally dumped 10,000 tonnes of household, demolition and hazardous waste, including asbestos.
Harvey operated the illegal site on land he owned at Shepherds Farm, St Newlyn East, Cornwall, Truro Crown Court heard.
He pleaded guilty to four offences and received a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Pay back the cash or go to jail
Harvey was ordered to pay full court costs of £16,653.99 within one year and was ordered to pay back the £72,500 he made from operating his illegal waste business by January 9, 2026 or face three months in prison.
The court heard there was no Environmental Permit for the site which would allow the legal deposit of waste.
Harvey also deposited waste and filled in a wooded valley and a watercourse to create flattened areas on the land, which he then intended to develop.
There were no planning permissions in place for any construction necessitating the waste importation.
About 10,000 of tonnes of mixed construction and demolition waste, including hazardous material such as white and blue asbestos, was present at the site.
‘Modest sum’ paid for storing waste
During regular Environment Agency inspections of the site from February to July 2023, Harvey was advised that he was operating illegally, had no planning permission for the development works and that all waste importation should cease immediately.
Harvey was invited to attend an interview with the Environment Agency and sent in a total of three statements under caution.
He claimed wanted to build up the land for new agricultural buildings.
He also claimed he registered the relevant exemptions and believed he could import 10,000 tonnes of concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramic mixtures.
Harvey did say how much he was paid to receive waste, bar saying he was “paid a modest sum.” He denied there was asbestos containing material on site.
Waste crooks beware
Sally Turberville of the Environment Agency said: “Waste criminals should be aware how seriously we take their offending, including the financial benefit they obtain from their illegal activities.
“Offenders like Harvey simply won’t get away with concealing information or their assets. Waste crime can be a blight on the environment, communities and to legitimate businesses.
“If anyone suspects that waste crime is taking place in your community, contact our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
