Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, the Environment Agency successfully prosecuted Nigel Isherwood and his company, Isherwood Skip and Container Hire Ltd following two years of illegally depositing and burning of waste.
The Wigan business owner narrowly escaped jail after Liverpool Crown Court handed down a 26-week suspended sentence. The company were found guilty of depositing large quantities of soil and demolition waste which was outside of their permitted area. This illegal deposit was on land owned by the Council. In addition, on two occasions, the company at the direction of Nigel Isherwood, illegally burnt large volumes of waste on site in order to dispose of it for free. The Environment Agency said the business saved over £18,000 in disposal costs as a result of this illegal activity.
In addition to the suspended sentence the company was fined £20,000 plus £18,000 in costs (costs to be split equally between Mr Isherwood and the company). The judge also ordered the company to remove the illegally deposited waste by 14 July 2011.
Nigel Isherwood received a community order to reside at his home address for two years. If he wishes to move he must inform his probation officer.
Paul Shelton, investigating officer from the Environment Agency, said: "Sentencing like this gives a clear message that waste crime doesn't pay. This was a deliberate attempt to avoid disposal costs, creating an unfair competitive advantage over legitimate local businesses.
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