Firm fined for illegal disposal of waste

Between July and October 2009, the Environment Agency carried out a surveillance operation at Stubbs Hall Farm, Hampole, Doncaster, in which they saw vehicles arriving and tipping loads, some of which was burnt and some of which was put into landfill.

Vehicles arriving at the site included a skip wagon driven by Kevin and Charles Donkin, large tipper vehicles used by Colin Catton and a van owned by Tudor Auction Rooms Ltd. At the farm, John Soar and Trevor Jones were responsible for waste disposal.

In October 2009, Environment Agency officers searched the site and found landfill of up to four metres deep which included broken pieces of asbestos.

They also found piles of waste which included a car door, a cooker, carpet, rubble and asbestos.

Trevor Jones, 48, of Stubbs Hall, pleaded guilty at Doncaster Magistrates Court to one charge and was fined £100 for being involved in the burning of waste. He was also ordered to pay costs of £150.

The district judge acknowledged that he was acting under the instructions of his employer, John Soar.

Kevin Donkin, 53, of Woodlands Road, admitted one charge of depositing skips of waste on the site. He was sentenced to 50 hours unpaid work, plus £400 costs.

Charles Donkin, 28, of Roberts Road in Balby, Doncaster, pleaded guilty to three charges and was given 140 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £800 costs.

Colin Catton, 65, of Hacking Lane in South Elmsall, was observed tipping waste which included asbestos. He pleaded guilty to five offences and was given 160 hours unpaid work, plus £1,000 costs.

Tudor Auction Rooms Ltd admitted one offence under the Environmental Protection Act and was fined £1,000, plus costs of £1,200. John Soar, owner of Stubbs Hall Farm, will be sentenced at a later date.