A MAN has been given a suspended prison sentence for illegally depositing and burning waste.

Christopher John Nash, 34, of James Street South in Murton, pleaded guilty at at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on to two offences of operating a waste facility without a permit.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community, and to pay £2,500 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Nash was required to remove the remaining waste and clear the site at Saanen Lodge, Haswell Plough within 56 days.

Simon Crowder, prosecuting for the Environment Agency , told the court that Nash – who runs Murton Recycling - used the site as a waste site, dumping waste and then burning it.

In April 2014, Environment Agency officers saw large amounts of waste in the yard together with a fire burning, and Nash was advised to stop bringing waste to the site.

During July the same year more waste and evidence of burning was seen at the site.

Several visits in the following months saw fresh waste, including metal, sofas, carpet, paper and cardboard left at the site.

Nash told officers he had a reduction in staff numbers, and added that he was no longer taking waste in at the site.

The Environment Agency spokesman Dave Edwardson said: “Waste crime of this nature can have a terrible impact on the environment and local communities – that’s why it’s vital those who handle waste work within the regulations.

“Illegal waste sites like this undermine legitimate businesses, and while we work with businesses to help them meet their environmental obligations, where there are breaches we’ll take enforcement action.”

Anyone who has information about waste crimes can call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.