His Honor Judge Coupland said the crime had caused damage of the “highest order” and condemned the defendants for putting residents at risk from toxic fumes.
He found that the offenses had been “deliberately concealed” through the use of forged documents and said their repeated nature, combined with the financial benefits obtained, constituted aggravating factors.
Leigh Edlin, the Environment Agency’s regional director for Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, said: “This was a serious illegal dumping site that was well organized and involved a number of criminals.
“Those involved wanted to profit from Covid restrictions at the expense of the environment and inflict suffering on the local community.
“The site and its operators have had a major impact on legitimate businesses and our regulatory work.
“Our enforcement teams will continue to tackle serious illegal waste crime, working with partners such as Lincolnshire Police, Fire and Rescue Service and councils, as we have done in this case, to hold those responsible to account.”
The Canner family trio – father Paul (53), mother Judith (55) and son Joshua (29), who ran an illegal waste dump, were sentenced to 26, 16 and 16 months respectively.
Sonia Surpal (52) and Luke Woodward (37), who admitted dumping waste at the site, were sentenced to 13 and 11 months in prison.
Peter Wainwright (32) and Nathan Jones (43) were jailed for 16 months for disposing of waste at the site.
Marcus Chapman (39) and Daniel Lippitt (55) received suspended sentences of 12 and nine months respectively.
Landowners James Baggaley (38) and Marc Greenfield (46), who “knowingly permitted the operation of an illegal waste dump”, will be sentenced on December 16.
Robert Malone, 41, and Fletcher Plant Limited, who were found guilty of failing to comply with their duty of care, will be sentenced at a later date.
