Hereford Magistrates’ Court fined John Jones Civil Engineering & Groundworks Ltd £50,000 and ordered it to pay prosecution costs of £50,000.

The court heard that between July 2014 and October 2014, the company deposited over 5,000 tonnes of soil, stone, brick and concrete into two land hollows on land at Bage Farm, Madley.

The hollows were a habitat for great-crested newts, a European protected species.

The depositing of the waste resulted in the disturbance, injury, and killing of some of the newt population.

As part of the fine the court ordered the company to pay the costs that it had avoided in failing to lawfully dispose of the waste.

The company had a previous caution for environmental offences committed in 2010 and 2011.

In mitigation, the company’s barrister stated that the company had pleaded guilty to the offence and had no previous convictions. He also stated that the newt population had thrived in the time following the offence.

Speaking after the case, Environment Officer Lyndon Essex, said: “Waste crime is a serious offence with tough penalties as it can damage the environment and undermine those who operate legally.

“This case sends out a clear message that we will not hesitate to take action to ensure the protection of the environment.”