A SALE man has to fork out more than £13,000 after he was caught burying waste on his land.

Steven Bulmer was convicted of operating an illegal waste site at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Wednesday October 26.

Bulmer pleaded guilty to operating a regulated facility without an environmental permit at Sawfield Nurseries, in Fairy Lane.

He was fined £1,000, ordered to pay £12,561 in costs and the court also imposed a victim surcharge of £100.

After sentencing, Tracey Rimmer, environment manager at the Environment Agency, 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 highlights that the Environment Agency will always look to take enforcement action in the criminal courts.”

The case against Bulmer, brought after an investigation by the Environment Agency, identified that he deposited and disposed of waste by burying it without the required permit in place. Bulmer, who represented himself in court, said in his defence he buried the waste but it was all from his property as he was clearing it up. Bulmer went on to say he thought he was doing the right thing and didn’t know it was illegal to bury the waste, which included bricks and household items.

Waste from the renovation and construction of properties must be taken to a suitably licensed facility and not buried. Officers carrying out investigations on the site found that methane gas was present from the breaking down of waste in the ground.

If you see waste crime report it by calling 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Call the Environment Agency on 0370 850 6506 to find out how to responsibly manage business waste or visit gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview/overview.