A Nottinghamshire man has been given a suspended prison sentence after running an illegal waste operation for more than 18 months.
Gary Saunders, from Blyth, admitted to running the facility in Church Lane, Dinnington, Sheffield between July 2023 and February 2025, during which time he stored, treated and disposed of large amounts of illegal waste.
This included glass, guttering and UPVC doors, window frames and door frames.
The Environment Agency was first alerted to the 61-year-old's activities by a member of the public, prompting a site visit in June 2023.
Large amounts of illegal waste were discovered when officers visited a business named 4 Counties Group, the agency said.
It was discovered that the defendant was running a conservatory business from the site as a sole trader, leasing it from landowner Andrew Fisher.
Despite the Environment Agency monitoring the site and sending Saunders guidance letters, the accumulation of waste continued.
The agency said when interviewed, Saunders, citing health challenges, acknowledged operating without permits and failed to comply with waste removal deadlines.
Eviction proceedings were started in February 2025 and the landlord took back full control of the site.
At Sheffield Magistrates' Court on December 17, Saunders, of Spitalfields, Blyth, was given a 17-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
He was also ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work and to pay costs of £3,000 plus a £154 victim's surcharge.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "We welcome this outcome and will continue to work tirelessly to pursue and prosecute those involved in illegal waste activities.
"Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment and undermine legitimate businesses.
"Anyone with suspicions of waste crime can call our incident hotline, 0800 807060, or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111."