Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Man jailed after failing to pay £208k fine for illegal scrap yard

Published

on

A MAN has been jailed after failing to pay a fine of £208,000 for running an illegal scrap metal business in Carew.

On May 24, 2017, the court made a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act ordering George Jones to pay a sum of £208,000.

To date, no payments have been made under this order, so yesterday (Feb 15) George Jones was taken back into court for a PoCA enforcement hearing.

On the basis of this, the magistrates issued a warrant of commitment and Jones was taken into custody to serve the default sentence of 30 months.

Between June 2011 and May 2012 an investigation was carried out into the running of an illegal scrap metal business and the illegal storage of scrap metal and other waste materials on three different plots of land at Carew Airfield, Pembrokeshire.

The three sites in question are known as the Northern Yard, The Workshop Area and the Scrapyard Area.

Danger to water-source: Waste could have polluted drinking water

The defendants involved in the case were:

George Jones – the legal tenant for all three plots of land since the late 1990s, although he held no environmental permit or exemptions for the period of the investigation.

Enviroventure Ltd – occupier of the Scrapyard area since its incorporation in 2002 and holders of an ELV (End of Life Vehicles) Environmental Permit for part of the scrap yard area. They also had numerous exemptions registered at the Workshop Area and the Scrapyard area. They were occupiers of the land until liquidated in December 2011.

Nenning Jones – the sole Director for Enviroventure Ltd (and son of George Jones) Said to have been in charge of operations at the Scrapyard and Northern Yard between June 1, 2011 and December, 22 2011 when the company was liquidated.

Jennifer May Frearson – sole director of GJF Recycling Ltd (partner of George Jones). The company was incorporated on August 25, 2011 and received money for scrap metal since September 2011 for the sale of scrap metal arising from the Scrapyard area in Carew. There were no environmental permits in her name or that of GJF Recycling Ltd, exemptions were registered in the name of GJF Recycling Ltd for the Scrapyard area and Workshop area in February 2012, however these exemptions were not complied with.

All admitted or were found guilty after a trial of operating a scrap metal facility without a permit, duty of care offences and failing to keep adequate records.

Environment Agency Officers carried out site visits between May and October 2011 and found numerous breaches of the ELV permit held for the Scrapyard area.

This involved the depollution of vehicles on site which did not have the required infrastructure to do so; inappropriate storage of batteries; drainage issues; areas of the site where bunding and concrete was not being maintained. 

Waste materials such as tyres, waste vehicles and oil drums were also observed being stored outside of the permitted area. Numerous oil spillages were also observed on site.

Waste tyres, scrap metal and general skip waste were also stored at the Workshop and Northern Yard areas without an environmental permit and outside the terms and conditions of any registered exemptions.

Approximately £660,000 was paid in cash to Enviroventure Ltd for sale of scrap metal originating from the Scrapyard for the period when they did not hold an environmental permit or exemption to operate a general scrapyard from the site and for the sale of scrap vehicles when they were not compliant with their ELV permit.

A total of 20 charges were brought against Enviroventure Ltd and Nenning Jones combined for offences relating to operating outside the terms of an environmental permit and also operating and knowingly causing / permitting the operation of a regulated facility without the benefit of an environmental permit between 1 June, 2011 and December 31, 2011.

Following the original court case, Martyn Evans, NRW’s Head of Operations South West Wales, said: “We hope the outcome of this case will send out a positive message to the waste industry, that Natural Resources Wales supports legitimate business and will not tolerate those who seek to profit by breaking the law, risking harm to local communities or damaging the environment.

“The motivation behind the crime was financial. The site did not have the necessary permissions and consequently the infrastructure to protect the environment and it undercut legitimate permitted sites.

“Disposing of waste illegally can harm the environment and undermines businesses that invest in the required measures.

“It is essential that we take action in such cases to protect people and the environment, as well as safeguarding the market place for those operators who do comply with the law.”

Crime

Teenager charged following rape allegation at Saundersfoot nightclub

Published

on

Incident reported at Sands Nightclub in early hours of Sunday

DYFED-POWYS POLICE is investigating an allegation of rape following an incident reported at Sands Nightclub in Saundersfoot in the early hours of Sunday (Dec 14).

An 18-year-old man was arrested after officers were called to the venue, which is a popular late-night spot in the seaside village. The allegation relates to events said to have taken place during the early hours of the morning.

Joshua Probert, aged 18, has since been charged with one count of rape. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Dec 18).

The complainant is entitled to lifelong anonymity under law, and no further details about the allegation can be reported at this stage.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that enquiries are ongoing. Officers are understood to have carried out initial investigative work shortly after the report was made, including speaking to witnesses.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

  • Anyone affected by sexual assault or rape can contact the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line, run by Rape Crisis England & Wales, on 0808 500 2222. Calls are free and confidential.
Continue Reading

Local Government

Mayor visits Milford Haven Library Christmas event

Published

on

THE MAYOR of Milford Haven, Cllr William Elliott, paid a visit to Milford Haven Library on Tuesday morning to attend its festive Mince Pie and a Cuppa event.

The event brought together library staff and local residents, with the Mayor thanking staff for their work supporting the community throughout the year. During the visit, Cllr Elliott also spent time speaking with residents who had come along to the event or were visiting the library to borrow books.

Milford Haven Library is part of the Pembrokeshire Libraries service, which provides access to books, information, and community activities across the county.

The Mayor wished residents a Merry Christmas at the close of his visit.

Continue Reading

Crime

Milford Haven man jailed after drunken attack on partner and police officers

Published

on

A MILFORD HAVEN man who launched a violent drunken assault on his partner before attacking two police officers has been jailed for three years and six months.

Alexander Campbell was sentenced on Wednesday (Dec 16) at Swansea Crown Court after admitting causing grievous bodily harm and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that Campbell had been in a relationship with his partner, Miss Cox, for six years. On the night of the offence, he returned home highly intoxicated and became argumentative.

Alexander Campbell was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court, with the judge describing him as a “cowardly bully.”

Prosecutor Rieve Nesbitt-Marr told the court that Miss Cox advised Campbell to go upstairs and sleep off the alcohol. Instead, he began poking her and told her not to tell him what to do.

Campbell then launched what Miss Cox described as “a flurry of punches that rained down on her.”

Neighbours contacted police after hearing the disturbance. When officers arrived, they found a smashed bowl on the floor and Miss Cox lying on the sofa under a blanket, covering her face.

Body-worn camera footage played in court showed Campbell threatening officers, telling them: “I will turn this place into a f***ing murder scene.”

As officers attempted to separate the parties, PC Thomas placed her arm out to create distance. Campbell grabbed her wrist with force, an assault captured on body-worn video.

He then attacked PC Jones, climbing on top of him and punching him repeatedly, again recorded on police body-worn footage.

PC Thomas later attended Withybush Hospital, where she received four stitches under local anaesthetic. Miss Cox suffered severe facial bruising, with one eye swollen almost shut.

The court was told that Miss Cox’s ten-year-old daughter was upstairs at the property during the incident.

Campbell has 27 previous offences. In mitigation, the court heard that he accepted alcohol turned him into a different person, telling the court: “I’m an ugly person when I drink. I’m a different person when I’m sober.”

Sentencing Campbell, the judge said he knew better than anyone how alcohol affected him.

“You came home in a bad mood and almost predictively, you assaulted her,” the judge said.
“The noise and aggression was such that the neighbour called the police.”
“You gave her a bruise on her face that can only be described as a large shiner.”
“In short, you have injured three people. Your conduct was utterly pathetic, like an overgrown child.”

The judge also referred to Campbell’s violent history, describing him as a “cowardly bully.”

While acknowledging that Campbell had previously complied well with a suspended sentence after removing his own alcohol tag, the judge said custody was unavoidable.

Campbell was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence.

Warning him about his future, the judge added: “If you carry on with this behaviour you will spend a lifetime in prison. The only person who can change this is you.”

The court also granted a restraining order for five years.

Continue Reading

Crime1 hour ago

Teenager charged following rape allegation at Saundersfoot nightclub

Incident reported at Sands Nightclub in early hours of Sunday DYFED-POWYS POLICE is investigating an allegation of rape following an...

Crime3 hours ago

Milford Haven man jailed after drunken attack on partner and police officers

A MILFORD HAVEN man who launched a violent drunken assault on his partner before attacking two police officers has been...

Crime5 hours ago

Court hears historic child sex abuse claim emerged after ‘tarot reading’

Judge reminds jurors there is no standard timeframe for victims to come forward as trial reaches final stage A JURY...

Crime1 day ago

Rape allegation investigated at Saundersfoot nightclub

Police appeal for witnesses after incident reported in early hours of Sunday DYFED-POWYS POLICE are investigating an allegation of rape...

Crime1 day ago

Milford ground worker denies historic child sex abuse charges at Crown Court

Accused tells jury claims did not happen as trial hears evidence about alcohol use and alleged controlling behaviour A MAN...

Crime2 days ago

Three inmates deny murder of Lola James killer at Wakefield prison

THREE prisoners have denied murdering child killer Kyle Bevan, who was found dead in his cell at HMP Wakefield. Bevan,...

international news2 days ago

Dyfed-Powys Police reassure communities after Bondi Beach mass shooting

Officers monitor local tensions following terror attack on Jewish event in Sydney DYFED-POWYS POLICE have issued reassurances to communities across...

News3 days ago

Search under way in Pembroke Dock for missing man Lee

Coastguard, RNLI and rescue helicopter launched as fears grow he entered the water A MAJOR search and rescue operation is...

News3 days ago

Search under way in Pembroke as man reported missing

Rescue teams battle worsening weather ahead of amber rain warning A MULTI-AGENCY search and rescue operation is under way in...

News3 days ago

Amber weather warning as ‘danger to life’ rain set to hit Pembrokeshire

Dyfed-Powys Police and council teams prepare as Monday deluge expected COMMUNITIES across Pembrokeshire are being urged to brace for severe...

Popular This Week