A man who flouted the law by acting as the director of four waste firms across the region despite being declared bankrupt has narrowly avoided jail.
Jonathan Waldron, 44, was declared bankrupt in October 2021, meaning he could not legally be at the helm of any of the companies.
But he was found to have continued to operate despite restrictions as director of four companies, including Selective Environmental Solutions Limited, based at Eldon Brickworks near Bishop Auckland.
Waldron, of Winton near Northallerton, was also director of Middlesbrough-based Pintail Nest Farm Limited, Winton based Go Crushing & Screening Limited, and Thompson Recycling LLP, originally incorporated as Midlands Biomass & Recycling LLP.
The Insolvency Service said Waldron ignored repeated warnings from Companies House telling him he was legally required to resign from all directorships while bankrupt.
He remained registered as a director of Selective Environmental Solutions Limited, which was incorporated in December 2017, despite being contacted several times between December 2021 and February 2022.
His LinkedIn profile openly advertised his role as director of Thompson Recycling LLP during this period.
Waldron was further found to have been appointed director of Pintail Nest Farm Limited in July 2023, nearly two years after his bankruptcy, and submitted company accounts while still subject to restrictions.
Emails showed him signing off as "Managing Director: Jon Waldron" before stepping down in January 2024.
He also acted as sole director of Go Crushing & Screening Limited, set up in August 2019, filing accounts in November 2022 before the company was dissolved in May 2023.
David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: "Jonathan Waldron blatantly ignored the legal restrictions that come with bankruptcy and continued to operate as a company director across multiple businesses.
"Bankruptcy restrictions exist to protect creditors and the wider business community from individuals who have demonstrated they cannot manage companies responsibly. By flouting these rules, Waldron showed complete disregard for the law.
"The Insolvency Service will pursue the full force of the law against those who think bankruptcy restrictions don't apply to them. The public and legitimate businesses deserve protection from rogue directors."
Waldron was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, when he appeared at York Crown Court on Wednesday 21 January.
He was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, pay £1,000 in costs and has been banned from being a company director for five years.
He was discharged from bankruptcy in March 2025, but remains disqualified as a company director until January 2031.
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