Today (May 1, 2019) King’s Lynn magistrates ordered Mr Rutterford to serve a prison sentence of 12 months but suspended that sentence for a period of 2 years on condition that he remains of good behaviour.

Mr Rutterford was ordered to pay costs and a Victim Surcharge totalling of £18,051.50.

The 71-year-old had, at an earlier hearing, admitted operating an unpermitted site at Blackdyke Farm in Hockwold-cum-Wilton, near Braondon, illegally depositing and burning waste at that site.

Environment Agency prosecutor Mrs Sarah Dunne told the court that despite warnings from officers in November 2017 and at least 3 follow-up visits and emails, Rutterford continued his illegal activities – even days before a formal interview with environmental investigators.

He allowed other people to take waste to his farm to burn and told his employees to bring waste from his own rental properties to burn there.

Mrs Dunne told the court that in November 2017 officers found a fire burning with about 5 skip loads of waste. Despite being told by Rutterford that it was from his farm, it was clear that it was not. It included kitchen unit doors as well as plastic, rubber and metal items.

“During the visit a flatbed trailer loaded with a mattress and wooden furniture was seen driving onto the site. It turned and left when the driver saw the environment officers,” Mrs Dunne said.

Most businesses that use, treat, recover, store or dispose of waste need an environmental permit, although some waste operations are exempt and can operate under a waste exemption instead.

Rutterford had no permit and his activities did not fall within the scope of an extension. He was told to stop burning waste and to clear the site within 90 days. Instead, a week later he registered a number of exemptions, none of which would have covered his previous activities.

When officers returned to carry out further inspections, they found that more waste had been deposited including partially burned and rotting animal carcasses and fridges and freezers which, when burned, release climate-changing chemicals.

Mrs Dunne told the court that as an experienced businessman with a history of dealing with the Environment Agency, Rutterford must have known that burning on a large scale was not allowed. “He deliberately and audaciously flouted the law,” she said.

After the hearing Environment Officer Naomi Daniel said: “Burning waste saved the cost of legal disposal and put the environment at real risk. Burning fridges and freezers releases climate-changing chemicals and pollutes the atmosphere.”

Minister for Human Rights, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon said:

This week Muslims around the world came together to mark the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

I want to extend my warmest wishes to all those embarking on this important spiritual journey.

For Muslims, Ramadan is a period of deep reflection, prayer as well as charity leading to spiritual and physical renewal.

As we enjoy the freedom to practice our faith in line with our conscience, let us remember that in many countries, people of different faiths are denied this crucial human right.

As the UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief, I will continue to stand up for people of all faiths or beliefs across the world.

Ramadan Mubarak

So far 12 London boroughs have signed up to take part in a housing workshop for veterans on 3 June in London

The London VAPC event is supported by University of Kent, Royal British Legion and HQ London District of the Army.

Royal British Legion and Tesco are providing financial support for the workshop, which brings together elected and non-elected council representatives, charities and veterans to discuss housing policy.

London VAPC chairman Lynn Verity said:

We’re delighted so many London boroughs have already registered for the workshop and grateful for their support. I’d urge all local authorities to join us. It’s only by tapping into their wealth of experience and working together that we can fully understand and tackle the housing issues facing the capital’s Veterans.

A man who sexually abused a teenage girl has had his sentence increased after the Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox QC MP, referred it to the Court of Appeal for being too low.

David Rawcliffe, 29, inappropriately touched the victim on several occasions between 2016 and 2018, before being reported to the police. Upon questioning by police, the offender admitted to the offences described by the victim, some of which took place when she was only 13.

At Preston Crown Court, Rawcliffe pleaded guilty to 8 counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of engaging in sexual activity while in the presence of a child and was sentenced to 2 years and 4 months in prison. His sentence has now been increased to 3 years and 4 months.

Speaking after the hearing the Attorney General said:

“The offender’s actions have had a severe impact on the victim and I feel the increased sentence more accurately reflects this.”

The Prime Minister has appointed Lucy Frazer QC MP as Solicitor General.

Alongside the Attorney General, the Solicitor General will oversee the work of the Law Officers Departments which include the Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office, and the Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

The Solicitor General also carries out a number of functions in the public interest, such as considering unduly lenient sentences, and taking action when there has been a contempt of court. These functions are carried out independently of their role as a Government minister.

Commenting on her appointment, Solicitor General Lucy Frazer QC MP said:

“I am delighted to be appointed as Solicitor General for England and Wales. I look forward to working with the Attorney General to play my part in making law and politics work together at the heart of the UK constitution.

I want to thank my predecessor, Robert Buckland, for leaving me with such a strong record to build upon, especially in areas such as Public Legal Education, and the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

I am proud to be joining the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), a unique and historic government department which has the highest staff engagement score in central Government.”