R v Jones (22 April 1999) Magistrates' Court

United Kingdom

Mr Jones had attempted to remove a redundant sewer pipe from a river for scrap metal purposes. He claimed to have received permission from the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. This claim was found to be false and his attempt to remove the sewer pipe meant that the local authority had to over-pump the breach in the sewer to avoid serious pollution to the river and carry out works to reinstate it. In proceedings brought by the Environment Agency Wales, Mr Jones pleaded guilty to causing polluting matter to enter controlled waters contrary to Section 85(1) of the Water Resources Act 1981 and was fined £800 and £200 costs. (Environment Agency News Release, 22 April 1990)