By james art 
A man described as “arrogant” by a judge has been convicted of organizing illegal waste dumping on his rural land near Consett.
Peter Snailum, 64, appeared at Durham Crown Court for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to two offenses of dumping waste without an environmental permit.
He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a requirement to carry out 90 hours of unpaid work.
Snailum had a registered waste exemption for its land at School House Farm, which allowed it to carry out low-level waste on the site for construction purposes.
The court heard that between January and March 2020, excavation waste was transported from a building site in Consett to Snailum’s land at School House Farm, Kiln Pit Hill, and illegally dumped.
An Environment Agency investigation found more than 5,000 tonnes of waste had been dumped at School House Farm – five times the 1,000 tonnes allowed under the exemption.
The Environment Agency said it was clear the waste was being used to level land, which required environmental clearance.
During sentencing, Judge Joan Kidd criticized Snellum for his “arrogance” after hearing he had twice mocked Environment Agency officials.
When officers spoke to Snailum about the illegal activity, he told them they should prosecute him as he would only receive a fine.
The judge was also critical of Snailum’s insistence on initially denying the charges and taking the case to the crown court in the face of “overwhelming evidence”.
Gary Wallace, Area Environment Manager for the North East Environment Agency, said: “Litter crime like this has a negative impact on the environment and local communities and Snailum has been warned that it is breaking the law.
“His actions also undermined legitimate business as he made financial gains by not disposing of waste properly and legally.
“I hope this case sends the message to others that we take littering crime seriously and those involved can expect to be brought to justice for their actions.”
Jonathan Mann Developments, which owned land developed to build new homes for the elderly, was previously sentenced at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on April 23, 2024 for its involvement in the case.
The company pleaded guilty to engaging in illegal waste activity and was ordered to pay fines and costs totaling £3,832.
Groundworks Direct Ltd excavated and loaded the waste material from the construction site onto wagons supplied by the hauliers and was ordered to pay a fine and costs totaling £5,000.
G O’Brien & Sons Ltd, which collected the waste material and transported it to the Snailum land, has agreed to pay an enforcement undertaking of £5,000 to Durham Wildlife Trust to improve the environment and a further £1,600 towards costs.
