UK tyre fire case collapses over expert witnesses

By Andrew Smith, Crain staff (PRW)

Cambridge, UK -- A case brought against scrap rubber processing company Murfitts Industries by the Environment Agency has collapsed following a dispute over the admissibility of expert witnesses.

Murfitts Industries had been before Cambridge Crown Court charged with keeping, treating or disposing of waste in a manner likely to cause pollution.

The charges related to a fire in 2009 at a company plant in Littleport when 2000 tyres had caught alight.

The Environment Agency had then begun a prosecution but Murfitts had said in its defence that it had complied fully with all environmental regulations and that the fire was due to circumstances that could not be foreseen.

But at the opening of the case following legal argument the judge ruled that certain expert testimony could not be permitted and as a result the EA said it could no longer continue.

After the case the EA defended its action but Murfitts Industries issued the following strongly worded statement:

"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 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."

Murfitts Industries specialises in the manufacture of rubber crumb from waste tyres.

From PRW.com (A Crain publication)

Website of Murfitts