A FARMER who has consistently ignored environmental protection laws by burning waste on his land has finally been jailed.

John Leslie Allison, 73, had been given six months to clear waste from all controlled waste from land off Delves Lane, Colne, but had failed to do so by the June 2018 deadline.

Appearing before Judge Philip Parry at Preston Crown Court this morning, Allison, of Southfield Lane, Colne, was jailed for six months.

Inspections in July and September by Environment Agency officers found Allison failed to take any or adequate steps to remove waste from the field, therefore being in contempt of court for breaching a Remediation Order made at the same court in January 2018.

Speaking after the hearing, an Environment Agency spokesman said: “Despite a court order, Mr Allison failed to remove waste from the land and continues to demonstrate total disregard for local residents and the environment. The court’s sentencing decision today demonstrates these offences will not be tolerated and we will take action, as in this case, to pursue and prosecute offenders.”

“The Environment Agency is determined to make life hard for criminals. Our specialist crime unit uses intelligence to track and prosecute those involved in illegal waste activity and we rely on information from the public to bring those responsible to justice.

“Waste crime is a serious offence, which can damage the environment, undermine legitimate business and cause misery for local residents.”

Environmental incidents can be reported to the Environment Agency 24/7 on 0800 807060, waste crime can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers online or on 0800 555111.