Defendants represented by Sarah Jones KC, Tom Wilkins and Stephanie Painter acquitted of conspiracy to defraud

On 17th September 2023 the Environment Agency offered no evidence against 5 Defendants who were all charged with Conspiracy to defraud following an investigation begun in 2016. The fraud was alleged to have centred around evidence of mass recycling of batteries. The Defence asserted there had been significant flaws in the investigation and in the recording of material obtained in the course of the investigation which should have been disclosed as it was likely to assist the defence. The trial was halted when the Judge gave the Environment Agency time to consider disclosure but after time the Agency declined to continue with the trial, offered no evidence and not guilty verdicts were entered.

Tom Wilkins and Stephanie Painter represented one of the other defendants.