Home / Environment / Jail Threat for Fleecer in Flowton Tip Scandal
Jail Threat for Fleecer in Flowton Tip Scandal
6 Mar
Summary
- A scrap dealer faces jail if 600 tonnes of waste are not removed.
- He has ignored multiple court orders and fines for two decades.
- The illegal dump has blighted a Suffolk beauty spot since 1999.
A scrap dealer, Paul Fenton, 61, has been handed a stark ultimatum by the High Court: clear approximately 600 tonnes of waste from his unofficial scrapyard in Flowton, Suffolk, within six months, or face imprisonment. This directive stems from decades of non-compliance with legal requirements concerning waste disposal.
Fenton's property has been a source of environmental concern and local outrage for over 25 years. Despite multiple prosecutions by Suffolk County Council in 2001, 2007, 2010, and 2012, and a suspended jail sentence in 2021 for drug-related activities on his land, the site remains uncleared.
The council took Fenton to the High Court in November 2024, securing an interim order for waste removal. However, with little change observed, a permanent injunction was granted on February 19, 2026. He now faces contempt of court charges, including potential jail time, fines, or asset seizure if he fails to comply with the new six-month deadline.
Local officials expressed strong dissatisfaction with Fenton's persistent disregard for environmental regulations and community well-being. The council vows to continue legal action to ensure the site is remediated and to uphold environmental standards.
