Illegal waste site operator who "ignored warnings" jailed after investigation revealed he had no permit
A man has been jailed after illegally operating a waste facility site without a permit
The operator of a waste facility site in Sheffield has been jailed after an investigation revealed he did not have a permit.
Mohammed Tager, aged 38, of Verdon Street, Burngreave, was handed a 39-week suspended prison sentence at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, September 16.
It followed an investigation led by the Environment Agency which helped uncover the case.
Tager had previously pleaded guilty to operating a regulated facility without a permit, and the site, at the Former Stanley Works, Rutland Road, has now been cleared following the agency’s action.
On top of his sentence, the court also required him to undertake 180 hours of unpaid work.
He must also pay a victim surcharge of £187, and a £2,000 contribution towards prosecution costs.
Ben Hocking, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, said: “We are glad to see Tager’s offending has been brought to justice. The case showed he had a total disregard for the law, the environment, and the local community.
“He repeatedly ignored warnings and notices issued by our officers, who have worked incredibly hard to take action against him along with his co-defendants who were sentenced in April.
“Following the sentencing of the co-defendants, we were pleased to see that the site has now been fully cleared.”
On July 7, 2022, The Environment Agency first visited the site and found a large amount of mixed waste.
Further visits found more waste had been accumulated including fridges and other electrical items, as well as evidence of burning.
On October 10, 2022, the agency told the occupier he could not store waste without a permit, and was given six weeks to clear it.
After visiting the site again in January 2023, officers found none of the waste had been cleared. They subsequently served a formal notice requiring the site to be cleared by June 5, 2023, which was ignored.
In late 2024 and early 2025, Sheffield City Council advised Tager to cease burning, after complaints were received about the burning of the waste impacting local residents.
Two co-defendants related to the case were sentenced on April 15, 2026.
The landowner, Concept Investments Limited, was fined £8,000, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000 and costs of £5,442.
Austin Fitzgerald, a director of the company, was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 140 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay costs of £5,442 and a victim surcharge of £114.
Mr Hocking added: “This result shows that we’re cracking down on those flouting the regulations, and we will not hesitate to take action against those who breach the law.”