‘Ignorant and Selfish’: High Court threatens prison for serial Suffolk waste offender

Mr Paul Arthur Fenton, 60, of The Street in Ipswich, has been served an injunction (dated 19 February 2026) concerning land at Flowton Pit and Brooke Farm in Flowton.

Mr Fenton has been using these sites for many years to illegally store waste. He must now lawfully clear all waste materials within six months of the order. He must also not allow the land to be used for waste storage in the future.

Disobeying the order may hold Mr Fenton in contempt of court which may result in him being imprisoned, fined or having his assets seized.

Suffolk County Council was also awarded its costs.

Councillor Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste, said:

“I hope that the penny finally drops for Mr Fenton, and he now listens to the High Court, with the prospect of a prison sentence hanging over his head.

“His disregard for anyone else has caused upset in the local community, who have had to put up with this illegal dumping site for years. His actions will also have caused untold damage to the local environment, which must now stop.

“His ignorant and selfish behaviour will not be tolerated. Suffolk County Council will not back down in bringing him to justice and we will continue to stand up for those living in the area.”

Mr Fenton has been successfully prosecuted on four previous occasions by Suffolk County Council in 2001, 2007, 2010, 2012. He was also subject to a previous High Court interim injunction in 2024. However he has never complied with any of the rulings to clear the land of waste.

At the latest hearing on 19 February 2026, Mr Fenton did attend the beginning of the seven hour proceedings at the High Court, but left halfway through.