Three men were convicted for dumping over 26,000 tonnes of waste in Lichfield, affecting multiple sites across the country and leading to significant legal consequences.
Lichfield: A gang of three men was found guilty of dumping over 26,000 tonnes of waste. They targeted a former GKN site on Crossfield Road Industrial Estate.
The trouble started back in 2016 when environmental health officers got a tip-off. They discovered the site had been broken into and was being filled with rubbish.
The gang fled the scene, but an investigation revealed they had dumped waste at 16 other locations across the country. They had approached waste facilities, offering to dispose of waste cheaply.
In July 2024, evidence from two environmental health officers helped convict the men. They were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on December 19.
Marcus Hughes received 30 months in jail and a 10-year ban from being a company director. Robert McDonagh got 21 months, suspended for two years, and had to pay £40,000 to victims.
Richard Hopkinson was sentenced to 20 months, also suspended, and ordered to pay £25,000. Councillor Alex Farrell expressed satisfaction with the verdict and emphasized the council’s commitment to tackling fly-tipping.
