In a recent ruling at Northampton Crown Court, Stephen Lack, 72, and his son Andrew Lack, 38, have been sentenced for operating an illegal waste site at Monkton Sidings. The pair were found guilty of running the waste site without the required environmental permits, posing significant environmental risks.
Stephen Lack, the owner of the site, received a 34-week suspended prison sentence on 13 September 2024. He was also ordered to pay £2,400 towards prosecution costs and given a two-year deadline to clear the waste from the site. His son, Andrew Lack, had previously been sentenced on 26 July 2023 to a six-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work.
The Environment Agency’s investigation, which included drone footage, revealed that the father-son duo had been processing waste improperly, storing it on bare ground, which posed the risk of contamination to the soil and groundwater. The illegal site was located close to Fineshade Woods, a sensitive Forestry Commission area, raising additional environmental concerns.
This is not the first offence for Stephen Lack, who has three prior convictions for similar infractions at the same location. He had served prison time in 2021 for illegal waste operations, during which his son took over the business. Upon Stephen’s release, he resumed his involvement in the illicit activities.
Judge Mayo described Stephen Lack’s behaviour as “deliberate” and noted his control over the site for an extended period. The judge also warned that any failure to comply with the order to clear the site could lead to further legal action and potential imprisonment.
Paul Salter, Senior Environmental Crime Officer for the Environment Agency, commented on the case, stating, “These cases are a shocking example of individuals who continued to profit by blatantly ignoring their responsibilities. They put people and nature at harm’s way and attempted to undercut legitimate businesses.”
This case highlights the ongoing battle against unlawful waste management practices in the UK.
