A Cornish scrapyard owner has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to repay £201,743 by the Environment Agency for smelting aluminium in breach of the environmental permit at his premises for years.

Graham Orchard, who owns Burnt House Garage at Dobwalls, Liskeard, Cornwall pleaded guilty to six offences at Truro Crown Court on 14 November 2025. Orchard was ordered to repay £1,271,034 under the Proceeds of Crime Act of which he must pay £201,743 within three months, by the 13 February 2026, or the default is 18 months in prison. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison suspended for 2 years on each count.

Should Orchard come into additional funds in the future, the Environment Agency would be able to pursue the remainder of the order if felt appropriate.

Strict rules over smelting

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