Murfitts cleared in tyre blaze trial
A tyre recycling firm which suffered a huge blaze two years ago has been cleared of allowing waste to harm people’s health after the case against it collapsed. In 2009 a fire started among the 2,000 tonnes of tyres and rubber being stored on the company's site, burning for seven weeks. Murfitts Industries, based in Wisbech Road, Littleport, faced trial at Cambridge Crown Court after pleading not guilty to a charge of treating, keeping or disposing controlled waste, contrary to section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act.
Following a series of discussions and legal wranglings between prosecution and defence counsels, notably about what expert evidence was admissible, Ruby Hamid, prosecuting on behalf of the Environment Agency, told Judge Jonathan Haworth she could offer no evidence to back up the allegation.
Judge Haworth thanked the jury for their service and said he would record a not guilty verdict himself, due to the jury not officially receiving an indictment to consider prior to the trial breaking down.He said: “I have noted a verdict of not guilty in this case. There is nothing for you to try.”
After the hearing a spokesman for Murfitts Industries said: “Over two years ago a fire occurred at our site at Littleport arising out of a wholly unforeseen set of circumstances. The site was very regularly inspected by all enforcement agencies, in particular the Environment Agency, and found to be compliant with regard to fire safety and environmental licensing. Such compliance included well-planned systems to prevent fire and mitigate the effects should any fire occur.
“Notwithstanding the company’s compliance record and systems on site, the Environment Agency pursued a wholly unnecessary prosecution arising out of the fire which today collapsed. While pleased that the court has formally returned a not guilty verdict, the prosecution offering no further evidence, the company is exasperated that this unnecessary and costly prosecution was ever brought at all.”
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