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9 months for 367 tonnes of illegal waste
25 Jun
Summary
- Man jailed for illegally storing 367 tonnes of waste.
- Illegal dumping near homes caused rats and flies.
- Court described offending as deliberate and high culpability.
Thomas Coulter, 46, received a nine-month prison sentence for illegally depositing and storing 367 tonnes of waste at two unlicensed sites near residential areas. The offences occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. His illegal waste collection service, advertised on social media, charged customers for household waste removal.
The dumping, which took place at sites on the Crumlin Road, led to significant distress for local residents, with reports of rats and flies so severe that some people abandoned their homes. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) eventually removed the waste at public expense.
During sentencing at Belfast Crown Court, the judge characterized Coulter's actions as deliberate and of high culpability, noting the risk of harm and inconvenience caused. The NIEA stated that the custodial sentence sends a clear message that waste crime will not be tolerated, emphasizing its detrimental impact on legitimate businesses, the environment, and communities.
