Cornish Waste Firm Hit with £600,000 Repayment Order for Illegal Operations
A liquid waste collection service based in Cornwall has been ordered by the Environment Agency to repay £600,000 following a conviction for multiple environmental violations. Roger and Angela Smith, who run R & A Cleansing from Ashwell Farm, pleaded guilty at Truro Crown Court and received suspended prison sentences for their illegal activities.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
On 30 January 2026, the Smiths were sentenced to 10 months in prison, a term that has been suspended for two years on each of the charges. In addition to the repayment order, the couple must also cover costs amounting to £10,000 and take corrective measures to remediate their site within the next 18 months.
The court proceedings arose from a series of offenses carried out between January 2020 and February 2023, wherein the defendants were found to be operating without the necessary environmental permits. Evidence presented revealed that the couple had been illegally storing and disposing of liquid waste on their property.
Environmental Violations Discovered
The investigation commenced after an anonymous report indicated that the Smiths were improperly handling liquid waste. Upon inspection, Environment Agency officers uncovered several underground tanks, pools of polluted water, and evidence suggesting the burning of waste materials. The site was also noted to be discharging waste directly onto agricultural land, raising serious environmental concerns.
Despite the Smiths’ claims that the waste was only being stored in underground tanks, investigators found significant quantities of untreated waste inside unserviceable tanks and open pits. The company, which has been operational for 25 years, had failed to adhere to regulations, lacking required permits to store or treat waste at their facility.
Regulatory Oversight and Community Concerns
Sally Turberville, an enforcement officer at the Environment Agency, highlighted the seriousness of the offenses and the financial benefits accrued from these illegal operations. She emphasized the need for those involved in waste management to comply with environmental regulations, stating that the Smiths had ignored their responsibilities in managing their business appropriately.
Background
The couple faced multiple charges under environmental laws, including operating a waste facility without a permit and improperly disposing of controlled waste, which posed risks to both the environment and public health.
- Operating a regulated waste facility without an environmental permit between January 2020 and February 2023.
- Disposing of controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution.
- Failure to comply with waste transfer documentation laws.
These violations serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of complying with environmental legislation, especially within the waste management sector.
Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cornwall-firm-illegally-stored-waste-including-animal-blood
