John Leslie Allison of Southfield Lane, Colne, Burnley, has been ordered to pay over £368,000 after earning around £840,000 for undertaking illegal waste activities.
Allison appeared at Preston Crown Court today (Friday, January 6) after the Environment Agency decided to pursue confiscation proceedings.
He has been ordered to pay £368,682.50 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 after the court found that he had benefitted to the tune of £840,814 from his illegal waste activities.
The 75-year-old man was previously prosecuted by the Environment Agency for undertaking illegal waste activities at two sites in Lancashire without a permit.
He was then jailed for three years in 2021 for undertaking illegal waste activities at two sites in Colne without a permit.
The Environment Agency said he “allowed hazardous, large-scale mixed-household and commercial waste materials to be deposited at the sites without a permit, causing unacceptable risks to the environment, highlighted by a number of significant fires at the site and numerous complaints from the public”.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency welcomed the result of the proceedings, saying it “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”.
“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 online at gov.uk,” they added.
