Jail for man who illegally disposed of waste on farm causing misery for locals

A man has been sentenced to 26 months in prison for operating an unpermitted waste site in Worcestershire.

John Bruce, who’s 45, admitted six charges relating to the activity at Ridgeway Park Farm, Throckmorton Airfield, in Pershore.

Bruce ran a waste disposal operation the site between 2011 and 2014, without a permit, where he brought waste onto the farm and either dumped it, buried it or burned it, causing misery and health risks to nearby residents.

After they complained, Environment Agency officers met with Bruce on a number of occasions, inspecting the site and enforcing environmental regulations. Warnings were issued after evidence emerged that burning had been taking place.

Throughout March and April 2013, he treated and burned large amounts of waste, with fires continually burning for several weeks at the farm, polluting the air and endangering the health of those living nearby – especially because he burned a lot of plastic, causing plumes of black smoke to blow across the nearby village.

In April 2013, Bruce repeatedly ignored the interventions of the Environment Agency and fire service, after they had to attend to a fire there.

In total, about 26,000 cubic metres of waste was disposed of at the site illegally, consisting mainly of construction and demolition waste, some of which is classified as a hazardous waste.

He also put a nearby watercourse at risk of pollution, with brown liquid seen flowing in its direction, and well as allowing cattle to graze in polluted areas.

On sentencing the judge at Worcester Crown Court said Bruce had committed serious environmental offending, and there was a need for a sentence to deter others.

An Environment Agency officer said Bruce did not care about the environment or the surrounding community: