Father and Son Busted for Running Illegal Dump in Northampton
Stephen Lack, 72, and his son Andrew Lack, 38, have been handed suspended prison sentences at Northampton Crown Court for operating an illegal waste site at Monkton Sidings without proper environmental permits. The pair’s actions seriously threatened local soil and water quality.
Sentences and Orders
- Stephen received a 34-week suspended prison sentence on 13 September 2024.
- He must pay £2,400 in prosecution costs.
- Stephen has two years to clear the waste from the site.
- Andrew was given a six-month suspended sentence back in July 2023 and ordered to complete 250 hours of community service.
Dirty Business Uncovered by Environmental Agency
The Environment Agency probed the site using drone footage and found waste being dumped on bare earth, risking contamination to soil and groundwater. The illegal site is dangerously close to Fineshade Woods, a protected Forestry Commission area.
Stephen, who owns the site, is no stranger to trouble. He has three previous convictions at Monkton Sidings for similar offences and even served jail time in 2021 for illegal waste dumping. While he was behind bars, Andrew ran the operation — only for Stephen to jump back in after his release.
Judge and Officials Speak Out
Judge Mayo slammed Stephen Lack’s “deliberate” misconduct and warned that failure to clear the illegal waste could mean jail time.
Paul Salter, Senior Environmental Crime Officer for the Environment Agency, said: “These cases are a shocking example of individuals blatantly ignoring their responsibilities. They put people and nature at harm’s way and tried to undercut legitimate businesses.”
This case is a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against illegal waste dumping across the UK, with regulators cracking down hard to protect communities and the environment.
