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      September 2025 issue available now

      By Matthew TiltSeptember 1, 2025
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    Environmental Land Management Scheme/Policy

    Environment Agency investigation sees three convicted

    Matthew TiltBy Matthew TiltSeptember 3, 20242 Mins Read
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    Three men have been convicted following an investigation by the Environment Agency into large-scale waste dumping across 14 sites.

    The investigation revealed that criminal gangs had approached waste facilities and offered to dispose of baled waste at reduced costs, which was later abandoned.

    More than 26,000t of waste is estimated to have been dumped, avoiding more than £2.7m of landfill tax costs and costing the landowners more than £3.2m.

    The offences included entering into rental or lease agreements under the false pretence of storing plastic pellets or motor vehicles, or for the temporary storage of refuse-derived fuel. The baled waste was then abandoned.

    They also diverted waste to sites which were owned but unused, forcing entry and depositing waste.

    At a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on the 18th of July, Marcus Hughes, 53, and Richard Hopkinson, 52, pleaded guilty to various environmental, company and fraud offences. On the 26th of July, Robert McDonagh, 51, attended a hearing at the same court where he too pleaded guilty to environmental, company and fraud offences.

    Sentencing is set for the 17th and 18th of December.

    Emma Viner, Environment Agency Enforcement and Investigations Manager, said: “Operation Cesium was a complex investigation into large-scale waste dumps across the country by a gang who spared little thought for their victims and the environmental, financial and health impacts they caused.

    “We take our responsibility to protect people and the environment seriously, whether by stopping large-scale dumping or making life harder for criminals by disrupting illegal activity through tough and decisive action.”

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    Matthew Tilt
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    Machinery editor for Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer. Matt has worked as an agricultural machinery journalist for five years, following time spent in his family’s Worcestershire contracting business. When he’s not driving or writing about the latest farm equipment, he can be found in his local cinema, or with his headphones in, reading a good book.

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