The man had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of operating a waste site without an environmental permit at Whinfield Industrial Estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. His sentence was given on 13 February 2025.
He was originally given 26 weeks but a further 18 were added as the conviction placed him in breach of a suspended sentence imposed for previous environmental offences.
In April 2023, the same man was given a suspended sentence for the illegal burning of waste.
Gary Wallace, area environment manager for the Environment Agency (EA) in the North East, said: “Not only was the waste on site illegal, but there was a very obvious fire risk. [The man] was given ample opportunity to clear the waste and was advised how he could operate within the law.
“But instead he continued to breach the law with no consideration for the environment or community.
“Environmental permits are in place to protect the public and environment and I hope this sentence sends out the message to others that we will take action against those involved in illegal waste activity.”
The man ran an organisation called LCA Community Charity – which the EA noted is not a registered charity.
Although the organisation and defendant hold waste carrier licenses, EA officers found evidence of waste that they did not have the correct permits for, including fridges.
The officers attended an industrial unit being used by the man in November 2022 and recorded the presence of more than 50 fridges and fridge freezers, dismantled furniture, mattresses, sink units and toilet bowls and baths and doors.
Officers requested that the man remove the waste by 16 January 2023, however the waste was not removed as of September 2024 and enforcement action was pursued.
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