A scrap dealer is facing jail after dumping 600 tonnes of rubbish at a beauty spot and refusing to clear it for 25 years
A fly-tipping scrap dealer who dumped 600 tonnes of rubbish at a beauty spot including dozens of Henry hoovers faces jail unless he clears up the mess.
‘Wholly selfish’ Paul Fenton, 61, has been accused of wrecking a wildlife haven after he began hoarding waste at his unofficial scrapyard in Flowton, Suffolk.
The tip, which has outraged villagers for more than 25 years, is located behind locked gates on a two-acre plot, surrounded by rolling countryside and historic woodland.
Fenton has discarded dozens of Henry vacuum cleaners at the site, as well as a number of red and yellow Cozy Coupe cars and children’s tractors and buggies.
Locals remain baffled as to why the scrap merchant decided to keep the decaying objects, many of which are now covered in mould.
Suffolk County Council has prosecuted Fenton four times in 2001, 2007, 2010 and 2012 over his eyesore rubbish tip but little appears to have changed over a quarter of a century.
He was also given a suspended jail sentence in 2021 for allowing cocaine to be packaged at a drug factory in a shipping container on his land.
Now a new court injunction granted on February 19th by Deputy Judge David O’Mahony requires Fenton to clean up the rubbish within six months.
He was warned that he faces being jailed, fined or having his assets seized for Contempt of Court if he does not comply.
Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste, said: “I hope that the penny finally drops for Mr Fenton, and he now listens to the High Court, with the prospect of a prison sentence hanging over his head.”
He added: “His ignorant and selfish behaviour will not be tolerated. Suffolk County Council will not back down in bringing him to justice and we will continue to stand up for those living in the area.”
Fenton, of Hadleigh, who attended the seven-hour hearing and represented himself before leaving halfway through, was also ordered to pay the council’s costs in making the application.
One cheesed off villager added: “It is a mystery why he is so fond of Cozy Coupe cars and Henry vacuum cleaners. The place is like a graveyard for them. Maybe he likes the smiley faces on the cleaners.’