Jail sentence threat and £23k fine for illegal rubbish site

Rotted waste including bottle tops, glass, bones and pottery were found in fields owned by Brian Gibson of Monaghan Road.

The waste was black in appearance, and smelt strongly indicating decomposition, according to the Department of the Environment.

At Belfast Crown Court on Friday, a confiscation order was made against Gibson under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 for unauthorised waste offences.

This followed a joint investigation by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the PSNI.

The order follows on from Gibson’s conviction at Dungannon Crown Court on 15 October 2008 for illegal disposal of rubbish.

The confiscation order is in addition to a sentence imposed on 18 November 2008 at Dungannon Crown Court of nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Mr Gibson was given six months to pay the confiscation order and a term of 18 months imprisonment was ordered in default of payment of the confiscation order.

According to the Department of Environment, should Mr Gibson choose not to pay the confiscation order, the default sentence of imprisonment must be served.

On release, Mr Gibson will still owe the confiscation order sum plus interest accruing daily. The confiscation order cannot be expunged until paid in full.