Uttoxeter Businessman, Company Deny Dumping 27 Tonnes Waste Lichfield

Darren Sheen, a businessman from Uttoxeter, and his company Fusion Engineering (Staffordshire) Limited have denied multiple charges related to a large fly-tipping incident on Watery Lane in Lichfield. The incident involved dumping over 27 tonnes of waste, forming a mound more than 20 meters long and 2 meters high, which blocked the rural lane and restricted access for residents and nearby businesses. The waste was cleared by Lichfield District Council at a cost of £10,000, and a lorry believed to be involved was seized by Environmental Health officers. Sheen and his company face charges including depositing controlled waste without a permit, depositing waste likely to cause pollution or harm to human health, wilful obstruction of the highway, and dangerous driving. Their not guilty pleas were entered at Stafford Crown Court, with the trial scheduled for March 2027 due to court backlog delays. Local officials have expressed disappointment about the trial delay but reaffirmed their commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping in the district.