Cornwall scrapyard owner ordered to repay over £200,000 for illegal aluminium smelting
Graham Orchard pleaded guilty to six offences at Truro Crown Court
A Cornwall scrapyard owner has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to repay £201,743 after unlawfully smelting aluminium in breach of his environmental permit for several years.
Graham Orchard, owner of Burnt House Garage in Dobwalls, Liskeard, pleaded guilty to six offences at Truro Crown Court on 14 November 2025.
He was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years on each count.
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, Orchard must repay £201,743 within three months, by 13 February 2026, or face 18 months in prison.
The total repayment order stands at £1,271,034, which the Environment Agency may pursue if additional funds become available.
The court heard that Orchard operated the garage, which is permitted to accept up to 5,000 tonnes of end-of-life vehicles for dismantling and recovery, and to separate aluminium from scrap metal through a furnace.
However, he repeatedly smelted aluminium in ways that breached permit conditions designed to protect human health and the environment.
Investigations revealed that Orchard submitted falsified emission monitoring reports to the Environment Agency, concealing failed test results for his furnace.
He also provided a false consignment note for hazardous waste liquids, despite the site producing an estimated 14,100 tonnes of waste engine oil and 1,250 tonnes of brake fluid between 2017 and 2022.
Despite multiple warnings and formal notices, Orchard failed to take action to comply with environmental regulations.
The Environment Agency said his actions demonstrated a disregard for environmental protection, and the court’s order reflects both the financial benefit he gained and the seriousness of the offences.
The Environment Agency has confirmed it will continue to monitor compliance and pursue any further repayments if funds become available.
"harmful substances"
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Orchard deliberately falsified reports in order to mislead us into believing the smelter was being properly managed and was operating properly. Sadly, that certainly was not the case.
“The use of waste oils to fuel the smelter, the inability to properly control the temperature of the furnace and the smelting of engines containing waste oils would have caused the emission of harmful substances from the flue for years.
“I hope today’s prosecution sends out a clear message that we are cracking down on offenders who deliberately flout the regulations and undermine legitimate waste operators.”