Jail term for 'nasty' environmental offending

A “nasty” environmental offender who burnt off plastic coated wire in the open has been sentenced to six weeks jail.

Environment Waikato understands that Michael Thomas Feeney’s jailing is the first time someone has been imprisoned on a Resource Management Act offence for the principal act of actual polluting. Two earlier jailings under the Act, introduced in 1991, were for repeated breaches of a court order.

Feeney was sentenced in the Hamilton District Court this week after pleading guilty to six charges brought against him by Environment Waikato relating to the burning of the plastic coated wire and of failing to comply with an abatement notice to stop his actions.

Judge Melanie Harland described Feeney's offending as "nasty" and "deliberate". In jailing him, she commented on the need to not only protect the public interest but also send a strong message of deterrence.

Feeney came to the attention of Environment Waikato, Hamilton Police and the Fire Service when he started burning plastic coated wire at his residence in Nawton in August 2006.

The burning of plastic coated wire produces hazardous contaminants such as carcinogens, and highly toxic contaminants such as dioxins.

Neighbours complained to Environment Waikato about the thick black acrid smoke given off by the burning. Feeney was issued with an abatement notice ordering him to stop the burn-offs but he continued with them.

Environment Waikato investigator Simon Cathcart said Feeney’s sentence showed that people who were cavalier in their dealings with the environment should expect to be held accountable, and that the council would not hesitate in putting serious offenders before the courts when circumstances warranted.