Riverton trucking company Euan Shearing Contracting have accused Environment Southland of altering a document in an attempt to falsely prosecute them for spilling effluent, and have spent $9000.
Stuff.co.nz reported a driver for the Southland-based operator was pulled over in a joint Environment Southland and police sting in which stock trucks were being checked for effluent spillage.
Senior Constable Anthony Vincent recorded that there was ‘nil’ effluent discharge from the truck, yet owner Euan Shearing was sent two fines of $750 from Environment Southland, one for the driver and one for the company.
A court submission featuring a copy of the police statement shows ‘nil’ has later been crossed out and replaced with ‘discharge – no tanks on truck.’
Shearing says the truck was not discharging effluent when it was pulled over and the truck did have storage tanks, despite Environment Southland claiming otherwise.
Vincent signed a sworn affidavit in court saying the truck was empty of stock and when it was stopped there was no discharge of effluent “and this was noticed when the vehicle drove away as well”.
“This was noted on the form in my writing. Subsequent to completing this form I notice this form has been altered,” his affidavit says.
Environment Southland took the case to the Invercargill District Court but withdrew the charges against both Shearing’s truck company and the truck driver.
Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips says the matter is before the courts and he had received legal advice not to discuss the issue.
