A prolific offender has been jailed for undertaking illegal waste activities at two sites in East Lancashire without a permit.

John Leslie Allison, 75 from Colne, allowed hazardous, large scale, mixed household and commercial waste materials to be deposited at the sites in Colne, without a permit and was sentenced to three years in prison.

Allison’s actions caused unacceptable risks to the environment, highlighted by a number of significant fires at the site and numerous complaints from the public.

At a Preston Crown Court hearing on July 23, His Honour Judge Parry stated: “I am thoroughly depressed to see you before me again.

"I have no option but to imprison you.

"You have proven yourself to be completely ignorant of the need to resist the temptation to deposit further waste onto your land.

"It’s thoroughly depressing.”

Referencing Allison’s previous imprisonment following an order to clear land in April 2018, his Honour, Judge Parry added: “When I sentenced you in 2018 this is what I said to you: 'I really hope this is the last time I see you otherwise you will be back before me again, people of your age do go to prison'.”

Staff at two waste companies were also charged for depositing hazardous waste at Allison’s unpermitted sites.

The court heard how hazardous waste was delivered to Allison’s site by Environmental Concern Ltd.

The former director of the company, Kenneth Morris, 71 of Hams Road, Birmingham, and driver Matthew Dyer, 42 of Bromsgrove Road, Redditch, Worcestershire, were also prosecuted for their actions.

Environmental Concern Ltd has been ordered to pay £47,969.50 in compensation to the Environment Agency for clean-up costs and £16,800 in compensation to PW Nettleton Partnership for the costs they incurred removing hazardous waste from Summit Farm, Dalton. Environmental Concern Ltd were also fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £26,240.66.

Morris pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. Morris is also subject to an electronically monitored curfew for three months between 7pm and 7am and has been fined £10,000 with six months imprisonment in default of payment.

Dyer pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to 240 hours unpaid work and fined £1,000 with one month’s imprisonment in default of payment. He was also ordered to pay costs of £2,993.79.

Large scale, mixed household and commercial waste materials were also delivered to Allison’s site by the now dissolved company Eco Enviro Group Ltd.

Former operator Carl Rodgers, 46 of Red Rock Lane, Haigh, Wigan, was prosecuted for his involvement.

He was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment suspended for two years and 200 hours of unpaid work.

Rodgers is also subject to an electronically monitored curfew for three months between the hours of 8pm and 5am and has been fined £10,000 with six months imprisonment in default of payment, and has also been ordered to pay costs of £34,341.62.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We welcome the result of this prosecution and welcome the three year sentencing handed down by His Honour Judge Parry for the offences committed by prolific offender Mr Allison.

"This sends out a strong signal to others that we will continue to fight tirelessly to combat illegal waste crime and bring those responsible to justice.

“We also welcome the strong sentencing and fines imposed on Kenneth Morris, Matthew Dyer, Carl Rodgers and Environmental Concern Ltd. This reflects the seriousness of the crime and its impacts on business and communities.

“The Environment Agency will continue to work tirelessly to tackle environmental crime which can have a devastating impact on the environment and local community.

“I would urge everyone to check that a waste carrier, broker or dealer is registered before using them by checking the waste carriers register on line at gov.uk.”

Allison, of Southfield Lane, Colne, was charged with one count of knowingly permitting the deposit of controlled waste at the Hubbs House Farm site between August 20 2017 and September 2 2017 - this relates specifically to the hazardous waste materials delivered to the site by Environmental Concern Ltd; one count of knowingly permitting the deposit of controlled waste at the Hubbs House Farm site between September 5 2017 and September 12 2017 - this relates specifically to the mixed household and commercial waste materials delivered to the site by Carl Rogers/Eco Enviro; one count of operating a regulated facility at the Hubbs House Farm site between September 13 2017 and April 5 2019; and one count of operating a regulated facility at the Delves Lane/Southfield Lane site between August 2017 13 and April 5 2019.

Environmental Concern Ltd (hereafter 'ECL') faced one charge of depositing/knowingly causing the depositing of controlled waste at the Hubbs House Farm site between August 20 2017 and September 2 2017 - this is the hazardous waste set out at count one against John Allison.

Kenneth Morris faced one charge of depositing/knowingly causing the depositing of controlled waste at the Hubbs House Farm site between August 20 2017 and September 2 2017 in relation to Environmental Concern Ltd.

Matthew Dyer faced one charge of depositing controlled waste at the Hubbs House Farm site between August 20 2017 and September 2 2017

The charges against Ken Morris and Matthew Dyer also reflect the subject matter of the charge which is count one as against John Allison

Carl Rogers faced one charge of depositing/knowingly causing the depositing of controlled waste at the Hubbs House Farm site between September 5 2017 and September 12 2017 in relation to Eco Enviro Group Ltd.

Both of these charges echo the charge against John Allison in relation to the depositing of mixed household and commercial waste materials.

Environmental incidents can be reported to the Environment Agency 24/7 on 0800 807060, waste crime can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers online or on 0800 555111.