A convicted waste offender must pay hugely increased proceeds of crime after the Environment Agency re-opened an inquiry into his finances and discovered he had undeclared assets.
On 27 February 2025 at Lincoln Crown Court, Simon Mason aged 54 of St Johns Chase in March, was ordered to pay an additional £278,492.92 on top of the £8,317.02 he paid after being sentenced in 2021.
Mr Mason’s case was re-opened after the Environment Agency learned of changes in his financial position. It was discovered that he owned a property that he had not declared at the time of his sentencing, when only £8,317 was recovered from him because it was believed he had limited means.
Simon Mason was originally prosecuted in the summer of 2021 for waste crime offences. He was given a suspended prison sentence for storing and burning waste illegally at a site in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, despite repeated warnings from the Environment Agency.
Numerous fridges were found on site, which are classed as hazardous waste and require specialist disposal.
At court on 27 February 2025, it was re-calculated that Mr Mason benefited from his illegal waste activities by £286,809.94. He was given three months to pay the remainder or serve five years imprisonment, and was ordered to make a £1,500 contribution towards the Environment Agency’s costs.
Peter Stark, Environment Agency Enforcement Team Leader, said: “Waste criminals should be aware how seriously we take their offending, including the benefit they obtain from their illegal activities. They won’t get away with concealing information or their assets, and due to the EA’s hard work, justice was served.”
During the initial investigation, Environment Agency officers visited the Holbeach site on six occasions and told Mr Mason verbally and in writing to stop bringing waste to the site and burning it. However, on returning to the site, Environment Agency officers found more waste had been brought to the site and burned.
Waste observed at the site during the multiple visits included household waste, furniture, mattresses, clothing, paint cans, toilets, televisions and numerous fridges. Some of the rubbish had been burned, prompting neighbours to complain about the smoke generated. Fridges are classed as hazardous waste and require specialist disposal.
The Environment Agency works to stop illegal waste activities and support legitimate business whilst protecting communities and nature from harm. The Environment Agency takes illegal waste activity very seriously and will not hesitate to disrupt activity and prosecute those responsible.
Anyone who suspects illegal waste activity should report it to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060, or anonymously through CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.
