Bolton: SC Chadwick and Sons bosses ordered to pay £1000s

Michael Chadwick, with sons Gary and Michael, ran recycling firm SC Chadwick and Sons and were sentenced last December after their business forced Bolton Council to pay millions of pounds in clean-up costs.

All three avoided jail and were given suspended sentences but were told that they would be brought back to court this year for a proceeds of crime act hearing to find out how much they owe and what can be repaid.

Speaking at the original sentencing, Recorder Jeremy Lasker said: “The fact is they all knew they were in breach of the conditions.

“They continued to trade.

“It was the hope that the sunlit uplands of compliance with the regulations would return in the future.”

Michael Chadwick and Sean Chadwick leaving court last December (Image: Newsquest)

This came after the company repeatedly ignored orders from the Environment Agency.

Michael, 72, of Kentwood Avenue, Leigh and Sean, 48, of Manchester Road, Leigh, had both admitted to breaching the requirements on an environmental permit at the Bolton site and were sentenced to 10 months in prison suspended for 18 months.

The clean-up site in Breightmet (Image: Newsquest)

Together with Gary , 50, of Culcheth Hall Drive, Warrington, they also breached the terms of an environmental permit at the Leigh site and later failed to act on an enforcement order to cease operations there in February, 2015.

Gary was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison, also suspended for 18 months.

All three men were brought back before the court for a proceeds of crime act hearing to determine how much they owed and how much they are able to pay.

Hayley Bennet prosecuting on behalf of the Environment Agency, told the court that Bolton Council had made a compensation order to Michael Chadwick of £16,524.

She claimed that he was judged to have the same sum available to pay.

Ms Bennet added that Sean and Gary Chadwick had both been hit by orders for £12,294 and were deemed to have the sums available to pay.

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She asked that all three sums be paid within three months.

Catherine Collins, defending, agreed that the three men were able to pay the money within that time frame.

The Honorary Recorder for Bolton Judge Martin Walsh ruled that all three payments be made within the three months suggested by the Environment Agency.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We welcome the result of this proceeds of crime, following the offences committed by directors of SC Chadwicks and Sons Ltd. 

"This sends out a strong signal to others that we will continue to fight tirelessly to combat illegal waste crime and bring those responsible to justice.  

“The Environment Agency will continue to work tirelessly to tackle environmental crime which can have a devastating impact on the environment and local community.”