A man has been given a suspended prison sentence for running an illegal waste site in Sussex.

Gary Boucher ran the illegal business at Cherry Tree Nursery in Eastergate Lane in Walberton near Fontwell.

At a hearing at Worthing Magistrates’ Court on January 21, it emerged Boucher had been burning items at the site including TVs, other electrical items, furniture and mattresses.

The court heard there were piles of household waste in black bin bags apparently stacked ready to be burned and to the rear of the plot was about 20 tipped loads of soil waste.

There were also old tyres on the site as well as deposits of asbestos.

In an interview Boucher claimed he was forced to let tradesmen dump the waste after threats were made to him and his animals.

He also claimed this activity had stopped since the first Environment Agency inspection in July 2012, the majority of the rubbish was being cleared, he denied running a waste business and said he had not allowed anyone to dump on his land.

In following visits Environment Agency officers found clear evidence of more large volumes of waste being dumped and burned.

Boucher pleaded guilty to 11 offences and was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also given a curfew order to remain indoors between 7pm and 7am for three months and ordered to pay costs of £800.