A man from Uttoxeter and a Stafford-based business have denied multiple offences relating to 27 tonnes of waste fly-tipped in Lichfield earlier this year.
Darren Sheen, aged 40, and Fusion Engineering (Staffordshire) Limited pleaded not guilty to multiple charges at Stafford Crown Court yesterday (6 August).
The case relates to a pile of waste measuring more than 20m in length two metres in height and weighing in excess of 27 tonnes which was fly-tipped on Watery Lane on 20 January blocking the lane and restricting access for residents and businesses.
Sheen, of Grange Road, Uttoxeter, denied five counts including depositing controlled waste, wilful obstruction of the highway and dangerous driving and another four on behalf of the business.
He and the business will now face trial in March 2027.
Lichfield District Council cleared the waste by lunchtime the following day at a cost of £10,000, launched an investigation and then a lorry believed to have been used in the incident was ceased on 21 March.
Council leader councillor Doug Pullen said: “The defendant has appeared at Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to all the charges related to fly-tipping in Watery Lane.
“We are disappointed that due to the backlog in the court system the trial will not be held until 2027 but I have every confidence in our Environmental Health team and we will continue to take a zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping in Lichfield District whenever it takes place.”
