Man fined for illegally dumping asbestos

Iain McGuiness, who owned a building maintenance company at the time, drove a van containing the waste to a site in the city’s London Road on 24 October 2019.

Two of his passengers emptied the contents of the van and then attempted to conceal it with fencing.McGuiness returned the following day with one of the same men to deposit more waste.

It was later found to contain asbestos, soil and general waste and cost the landowner £3,314 to remove.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today the 45-year-old pled guilty to one charge under the Environmental Protection Act.

He was fined £350 and ordered to pay £3,314 in compensation.

Head of the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit Fiona Caldwell said, “The illegal and irresponsible dumping of hazardous waste like asbestos causes an unacceptable risk both to the environment and the health of anyone who stumbles upon it.

“The Crown is committed to the effective prosecution of environmental crime and this conviction should serve as a warning to others to take their responsibilities seriously when disposing of waste.”