Overview

• Darren Sheen, 39, appeared at Cannock Magistrates’ Court on July 1 and offered no indication of plea to multiple environmental and highway offences.
• He and Fusion Engineering Ltd face charges ranging from causing danger to road users and pollution risk to wilful obstruction of the highway.
• Prosecutors allege Sheen drove a Volvo HGV 23 km from Great Haywood to dump 27 tonnes of untreated waste on Watery Lane.
• The January fly-tip formed a 20-metre-long, 2-metre-high mound that blocked access to homes and businesses before being cleared by council contractors.
• A plea hearing is scheduled for August 4 at Stafford Crown Court after magistrates agreed the case’s seriousness warranted a higher court trial.