An equestrian centre proprietor who was once “extraordinarily abusive and adverse” to Surroundings Company (EA) officials looking to investigate cross-check his premises has been ordered to pay over £13,000.
Darren Lee Fretwell, of Golden Valley Equestrian Centre and Golden Valley Caravan Park in Alfreton, seemed at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Courtroom on 13 September. The 58-year-old admitted two fees of obstruction.
The courtroom heard that during August 2023, EA officials had been instructed that waste was once being tipped on land on the equestrian centre, a livery backyard and pageant venue.
“On 11 August 2023, an unmarked eight-wheel tipper lorry that had deposited waste on website online failed to prevent when recommended through an Surroundings Company officer,” an EA spokesperson stated.
“Fretwell had instructed the driving force to not forestall and to pressure previous the officer.
“All the way through the similar seek advice from, Fretwell additionally refused to allow excavators which have been provide at Golden Valley Equestrian Centre to scrape again most sensible layers of soil to inspect what have been deposited underneath.”
The spokesperson added that at the similar date, Fretwell refused to offer waste switch notes when it comes to waste introduced on website online, when requested through an EA officer.
“On 16 August 2023, the Surroundings Company officials returned to Golden Valley Equestrian Centre, on the invitation of Fretwell, to habits a follow-up inspection.” the spokesperson stated.
“During the seek advice from, officials thought to be they had to seek advice from a neighbouring website online additionally owned through Fretwell. This website online is referred to as Wallis Gorse, and is on Lengthy Lane, Golden Valley. After some resistance to this from Fretwell, the officials visited that website online.
“That is the place Fretwell once more obstructed officials. He refused to offer waste switch notes or supply tickets when it comes to piles of sand containing shredded tyre rubber which have been provide.
“All the way through visits on each 11 August and 16 August, Fretwell was once extraordinarily abusive and adverse against the officials. On the second one seek advice from on 16 August 2023, this behaviour was once captured on body-worn video, which was once performed in courtroom.”
In mitigation, Fretwell stated he recognised that his behaviour on each events was once unacceptable. He was once fined £2,239 and ordered to pay prices of £11,272.
The EA spokesperson stated: “This behaviour was once completely unacceptable. Officials had been sporting out their lawful tasks to determine whether or not the website online was once performing according to environmental rules.
“Adversarial, abusive or obstructive behaviour reminiscent of that demonstrated on this case is not going to deter us from exercising our powers to offer protection to the surroundings and communities and make sure a degree taking part in box around the industries we control.”
Any person who desires to file an environmental incident will have to name 0800 807060 or touch Crimestoppers, in self assurance, on-line or through calling 0800 555111.
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