A LONG-running prosecution against a Chaddesley Corbett man accused of illegally dumping waste has been dropped.
The Environment Agency said it had withdrawn its case against Bernard Wells, of Tanwood Kennels, because his health had deteriorated.
He was being prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for allegedly keeping tree loppings and several photocopiers on his land.
The dispute went to magistrates in Kidderminster last year after Mr Wells refused to accept he was in the wrong and rejected a formal caution. The case was persistently delayed as Mr Wells was unable to attend due to ailing health.
The quarrel dated back to 2001 and was due in court for the sixth time last Thursday.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said Mr Wells had accepted a formal caution and added: "When we became aware of his illness we felt it was not in the interests of the public to continue."
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