Gang behind huge fly-tip at former GKN premises in Lichfield sentenced

Following a tip-off in 2016, environmental health officers from Lichfield District Council visited the former GKN site at Crossfield Road Industrial Estate off Burton Road. The site had been broken into and the vacant buildings were in the process of being filled with lorry-loads of waste.

The criminals fled the site and further fly-tipping was prevented.

Intelligence then linked the fly-tipping to similar offences across England, and the case was handed to the Environment Agency.

The investigation found that an organised criminal gang had approached waste facilities and offered to dispose of baled waste at a reduced price. The gang then forced entry onto vacant land, or leased sites under false pretences, and fly-tipped the waste.

In July 2024 witness evidence from two of Lichfield District Council’s environmental health officers was used to help convict three men in their 50s in a prosecution by the Environment Agency. On December 19 they were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court.

Marcus Hughes was sentenced to 30 months in prison and disqualified from acting as a company director for 10 years. Hughes is already in prison and this will be added to his sentence.

Robert McDonagh was sentenced to 21 months, suspended for two years, and disqualified from acting as a company director for 10 years  He was ordered to pay a total of £40,000 to four victims, given a 30-day rehabilitation order and three-month curfew order.

Richard Hopkinson was sentenced to 20 months, suspended for two years. He was ordered to pay £25,000 to one victim, given a 30 day rehabilitation order and 180 hour community order.

Lichfield District Council Cabinet member Councillor Alex Farrell said: “I’m delighted the gang members behind this have been found guilty. We will continue to pursue fly-tippers, and work with other councils, the Environment Agency, and the police to see them brought to justice.”