Farmer sentenced for massive illegal waste dump
© Environment Agency A North Yorkshire farmer who allowed thousands of tonnes of waste to be illegally dumped and buried on his land has been convicted and handed a suspended prison sentence and hefty charges.
Hayden Fortune, 50, of Pyethornes Farm near Wigglesworth, Skipton, was sentenced by York Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (26 March), after admitting to operating an unauthorised waste site.
The court heard that thousands of tonnes of waste were deposited on farmland at the Yorkshire beauty spot for more than a year.
Defra figures suggest waste crime costs the English economy £1bn every year, with an estimated 20% of all waste illegally managed, causing serious harm to communities and the environment.
See also: Police-style powers for EA in waste crime crackdown
Mr Fortune received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was fined £2,500 for breaching a separate suspended sentence.
He was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity, pay £10,000 in costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
In addition, he must remove all waste from the site within two years or face further court action.
Pyethornes Farm © Environment Agency
Growing concern
The case highlights growing concerns about illegal waste activity in rural areas and began in May 2024 when the Environment Agency (EA) was alerted to a large-scale dump at the farm.
Officers who visited the site reported strong odours and significant quantities of shredded plastic, metal, electrical waste and aerosols.
Ben Hocking, EA area environment manager, said: “Fortune’s deliberate offending showed a total disregard for the law, the environment, and the community where he lives.
“He repeatedly ignored warnings and notices issued by our officers, who have worked incredibly hard to take quick and decisive action against him.”
Pyethornes Farm © Environment Agency
Enforcement action
Despite receiving formal warnings and a legal notice requiring the waste to be cleared, the activity continued until October 2025.
Enforcement action escalated in February 2026, when the EA secured a court order to restrict further dumping.
The court ruled the offences were deliberate and serious, though decided not to activate Mr Fortune’s earlier suspended sentence due to the potential impact on his dependants.
The earlier sentence, imposed in April 2023 for animal welfare offences, included a 12-week suspended prison term and a lifetime ban on keeping animals.