ESG Enforcement Tracker

The EA brought a prosecution against Liam Winters and his brother, Mark Winter, for the unlawful disposal of large quantities of household and business waste at Codicote Quarry over a three-year period.

The brothers were prosecuted under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The brothers were both directors of Codicote Quarry Ltd, which had a permit to treat and store a small quantity of soil waste. It was found that they had stored and buried enough illegal waste (including banned and potential harmful material) to fill the Royal Albert Hall nearly three times over. The company ignored two notices aimed at seeking the removal of the waste, as well as the suspension of its permit.

Liam and Mark Winters pleaded guilty to all charges. They were sentenced in St Albans Crown Court; Liam Winters was handed a 17-month prison sentence, while Mark Winters was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. Liam Winter’s sentence reflected illegal storage at other sites. The court also banned the brothers as company directors for eight years. Costs and confiscation orders are due to be considered at a later date.