Lichfield Council leader 'disappointed' 27-tonne fly-tipping trial will not start until March 2027
The leader of Lichfield District Council is 'disappointed' a Stafford businessman accused of fly-tipping 27 tonnes of rubbish in a Staffordshire country lane will not stand trial until 2027.
Darren Sheen, aged 40, and Fusion Engineering (Staffordshire) Limited, appeared at Stafford Crown Court today (Wednesday) charged with charges relating to improper waste disposal as well as dangerous driving.
Pleading on behalf of his business Sheen pleaded not guilty to depositing controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health; failure to transfer waste to an authorised person; and wilful obstruction of the highway.
However, Sheen, 40, of Grange Road, Uttoxeter, was told by Judge Avik Mukherjee KC due to the giant backlog of cases in the legal system his trial will not be until March 8, 2027.
Leader of Lichfield District Council, Councillor Doug Pullen, said: “The defendant appeared at Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to all the charges related to fly-tipping in Watery Lane.
"We are disappointed that due to the backlog in the court system the trial will not be held until 2027 but I have every confidence in our Environmental Health team and we will continue to take a zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping in Lichfield District whenever it takes place.”
Judge Avik Mukherjee told Sheen: “(Your trial) is not going to take place for many, many months, but you must keep in touch with your solicitors.
“I’m sure you will attend but I need to warn you, if you fail to attend, there is every chance it may go ahead in your absence. You can leave the dock now.”
On Tuesday, January 20, this year a pile of waste, which was more than 20 metres in length, two metres in height and weighed in excess of 27 tonnes, was found on Watery Lane. The road was blocked to traffic but the council's environmental health team had cleared the debris by lunchtime the next day, which cost them £10,000.
