Overview

• Darren Sheen, 40, and his company Fusion Engineering Ltd pleaded not guilty to charges including depositing controlled waste, causing pollution risk and wilful obstruction of a highway
• The alleged fly-tip dumped on January 19 left a mound over 20 metres long and two metres high blocking Watery Lane and cutting off homes and businesses
• Lichfield District Council’s Environmental Health officers seized a suspected lorry on March 21 and spent nearly £10,000 clearing the 27 tonnes of waste
• Judge Avik Mukherjee apologised for the nearly two-year wait to reach trial under Staffordshire’s congested court system
• Sheen was released on unconditional bail and ordered to keep in touch with his solicitors ahead of the 2027 hearing