Northamptonshire Woman Fined for Committing Waste Crime
As a result of a joint investigation by the Environment Agency and other agencies into the operations of criminal gangs that dump significant amounts of waste in the Southeast (Operation Angola), Kathleen Stokes, 41, was identified and subsequently prosecuted for illegally dumping waste.
Stokes appeared at Highbury Corner magistrates’ court on 28th September 2020 for knowingly causing the dumping of waste on Stonehill Business Park, Edmonton. She did not have a permit or exemption for the activity.
The court heard how in March 2018, an environmental crime officer visited an illegal encampment at Unit 8, Harbet Road, Edmonton. The officer observed numerous caravans and vans beside a significant amount of deposited waste. The officer then spotted a grey tipper truck drive past carrying wood-type waste.
Later, the officer visited Ravenside retail Park and recognised the same grey tipper truck in Maplins car park. The officer added a piece of traceable waste with a handwritten note stating the date and location. On 18th April 2018, the officer re-visited Unit 8 and although the site was now unoccupied, the officer discovered the traceable item of waste and accompanying note from a pile of waste that remained.
Following on from these findings the EA found out from the DVLA the owner of the tipper truck was Kathleen Stokes, then of Dun Roamin Park, Whitfield, Brackley, and she was still the registered keeper.
Stokes pled guilty to one breach of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and that a vehicle registered to her was used to dump waste. She received a fine of £200 and was ordered to pay costs of £2,000 and a victim surcharge of £30.
Stokes appeared at Highbury Corner magistrates’ court on 28th September 2020 for knowingly causing the dumping of waste on Stonehill Business Park, Edmonton. She did not have a permit or exemption for the activity.
The court heard how in March 2018, an environmental crime officer visited an illegal encampment at Unit 8, Harbet Road, Edmonton. The officer observed numerous caravans and vans beside a significant amount of deposited waste. The officer then spotted a grey tipper truck drive past carrying wood-type waste.
Later, the officer visited Ravenside retail Park and recognised the same grey tipper truck in Maplins car park. The officer added a piece of traceable waste with a handwritten note stating the date and location. On 18th April 2018, the officer re-visited Unit 8 and although the site was now unoccupied, the officer discovered the traceable item of waste and accompanying note from a pile of waste that remained.
Following on from these findings the EA found out from the DVLA the owner of the tipper truck was Kathleen Stokes, then of Dun Roamin Park, Whitfield, Brackley, and she was still the registered keeper.
Stokes pled guilty to one breach of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and that a vehicle registered to her was used to dump waste. She received a fine of £200 and was ordered to pay costs of £2,000 and a victim surcharge of £30.
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This is an alternative to our standard retainer system and offers clients an opportunity to obtain advice where the cost is pre-determined for the whole year. This arrangement would suit clients who may from time to time need to seek legal advice but may hold off preferring a ‘wait and see’ approach.
In our experience, early intervention can reduce the risk of the situation escalating as we can give advice and guidance that nips regulatory issues in the bud before they develop into something far worse. We also strongly recommend our clients consider taking out legal expenses insurance to cover investigations and prosecutions brought by regulators.
DyneProtect© has teamed up with Butcher & Barlow solicitors to provide DyneProtect© clients access to a specialist team of corporate and commercial lawyers for up to 1 hours’ worth of free telephone advice/legal consultation.
Butcher & Barlow have a dedicated commercial and agricultural hub on Gadbrook Park in Northwich which provides advice and assistance to a host of business clients in specialist areas such as Corporate and Commercial Law, Commercial Property, Private Client and Agriculture.
If you have a corporate or commercial issue which Dyne Solicitors is unable to handle, then Butcher & Barlow’s Commercial team will certainly be able to step in and assist.
DyneProtect© has also negotiated price reductions on OLAT / Driver CPC courses run by training providers KP Legal Limited who are offering discounts to DyneProtect© clients on Operator Licensing Awareness / Compliance training (-20%) and Periodic Driver CPC training (-10%).
