THE leader of a Hampshire council has been convicted of disregarding environmental regulations at a scrapyard he co-owns with his brother.

The leader of New Forest District Council, Barry Rickman, 63, appeared before Southampton Magistrates' Court this afternoon alongside his brother, Robert, 67.

The hearing was concerning issues at Rickman’s Scrapyard which they jointly own in Lower Mead End, Sway.

District Judge Richard Blake mentioned end of life vehicle disposal and asbestos when addressing the court.

Barry, of Heron Close, Sway, pleaded guilty to knowingly caused/permitted a person to operate a regulated waste operation facility that dealt with the deposit, treatment and or storage of waste, without authorisation of an environmental permit.

Meanwhile, his brother, of Rickman’s Scrapyard, Mead End Road, admitted a single matter of conducting/causing or knowingly permitting activity in contravention of an environmental permit in relation to the waste operation.

District Judge Richard Blake deferred sentencing for both men until July 28 this year.

He said he would give the two an opportunity saying: "Quite clearly the land needs to be made good”.

He added: "This is in a rural area and is clearly a curse on the community in the position it is."

At the end of the hearing, he said that the brothers should provide the Environmental Agency - which is prosecuting the case - with waste transfer notes and evidence of how they remedied the situation.

The charges concern a period between November 17, 2017 and October 9 last year.

Cllr Rickman represents the Boldre and Sway ward and was first elected in 1983.

As previously reported a spokesperson for New Forest District Council said: “This is a personal and private matter relating to Barry Rickman.

“It is not a council matter and the council does not intend to comment further.”