Waste Carrier fined for dumping tonnes at Illegal site

He was already warned

A Devon waste carrier has been fined more than £17,000 for dumping tonnes of waste at an illegal site. 

59-year-old David Gorton, from Denbury Road in Newton Abbot, left more than 1,300 tonnes of soil and stone on a flood plain near Kingsteignton on two separate occasions, once in July 2018 and then in May 2019.

The material left would have increased the flood risk in the area, with thousands of tonnes of mixed construction and demolition waste found at the premises. 

It's believed to have cost £2.5 million to remove the waste and clean the area.

Even after being warned about the site by the Environment Agency officer in 2019, Gorton continued to make deposits.

After pleading guilty at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court, Gorton was fined £1,466 and ordered to pay £12,300 in confiscated profits, £3,614 in costs, and a victim surcharge.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "This illegal eyesore was made possible by waste carriers like Gorton, who ignored the law to deposit waste at the site. Waste restriction rules are in place to protect people and the environment, and it is essential that all companies follow the rules. We would like to remind everyone who produces, transports or deposits waste that they have a duty of care to ensure it doesn't end up at sites like this.

Anyone who suspects illegal waste activity can report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.