A STOURPORT man has pleaded guilty to running an illegal hazardous waste site in Kidderminster.

Michael Wright, 46, of MacArthur Way, was handed a six month suspended sentence and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work by Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, April 26, following the Environment Agency prosecution.

The court heard how Wright, who traded under the name of ‘Port Oils’, produced hazardous waste consignment notices (HWCNs) containing false information to customers from whom he collected waste oils.

He then transported the oils to the site pending re-sale. When Environment Agency officers visited the site, they found over 3,000 litres of waste oil being illegally stored in plastic and metal containers.

There were no measures in place to prevent the oil from reaching open water drains nearby in the event of a leak.

Wright pleaded guilty to five charges relating to the unlawful operation of a waste site at Smethwick Drop Forge in Kidderminster.

Speaking after the case, an Environment Agency spokesman said: “Waste crime is a serious offence with tough penalties as it can damage the environment, blight local communities and undermine those who operate legally.

“This case sends out a clear message that we will not hesitate to take action to ensure the protection of water supplies and the environment”

They added that if anyone suspects a company is doing something wrong, people can contact the Environment Agency on 0800 807060 or Crimstoppers on 0800 555 111.