The Environment Agency (EA) has secured confiscation orders totalling £74,751.16 against five individuals involved in illegal waste activities at a site in Long Bennington, Lincolnshire.
These orders were made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 following convictions for offences related to the unlawful deposit and burning of waste near residential properties.
The site operated without the necessary environmental permits and involved the regular deposit and incineration of shredded waste.
Following complaints from local residents and subsequent investigations, enforcement action was taken.
In 2024, twelve individuals were convicted in connection with the site, with seven receiving custodial sentences and others receiving suspended sentences or fines.
At a hearing concluded on 12 September 2025 at Nottingham Crown Court, confiscation orders were issued to five individuals:
- Robert Malone, waste broker and dealer: £45,948
- Daniel Lippitt, site operator: £10,000
- Sonial Surpal, lorry driver: £16,511.55
- Luke Woodward, lorry driver: £1,111.61
- Nathan Jones, site operative: £1,180
In addition, Fletcher Plant Limited, a transport company, was sentenced for failing to comply with its duty of care under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The company received a confiscation order of £37,587.13, bringing the total recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act in this case to £112,338.29.
Further confiscation hearings are expected against the principal offenders Paul, Judith, and Joshua Canner who operated the site, as well as landowners Marc Greenfield and James Baggaley.
Both landowners have been ordered to remove remaining waste from the site.
This case illustrates the scope of liability under UK environmental law, which applies to all parties involved in the handling, transport, and disposal of waste.
Fletcher Plant Limited’s conviction is likely to raise questions regarding its good repute for the purposes of operator licensing under Schedule 3 of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995.
Additionally, the convictions of individual drivers may trigger vocational driver conduct hearings, where the Traffic Commissioner has the power to suspend or revoke their LGV licences
We act in environmental defence work and road transport operator licensing and are available to advise individuals and companies facing similar investigation or prosecution under environmental and Goods Vehicles legislation.
The full press release from the Environment Agency is available here.
Our specialist team can support you with compliance awareness so that you do not get caught out. Contact John Dyne today for help.