A Styrian farmer has stored everything on his farm that can be converted into money. Because some of the old equipment was not emptied properly, the man had to answer to the regional criminal court on Tuesday for deliberately endangering the environment.
According to the indictment, the suspect had been storing everything on his property for at least two years. Some of it was classified by an expert as a potential environmental threat. The farmer felt no guilt whatsoever and objected vehemently: “The tanks of the trucks have been emptied or dismantled, the cars have oil pans underneath and I got the barrels empty, there was no oil in them, only liquor. I need it for the mash.”
Four jerry cans of old cooking oil were meant to be used “for fueling the tractor,” and he wanted to remove the old car batteries anyway. But prosecutors say they had been on his property for at least two years.
The tools are in the refrigerator
Despite several complaints, the old vehicles were still there in June. “You can see bulky waste, glass bottles, boxes, construction debris,” Judge Julia Riffel said as she looked at a photo of the property. A car was also visible. “The Golf is dry now,” the defendant pointed out, again referring to an oil pan. Incidentally, some of it is “brand new equipment that I need to work.” “There’s an old refrigerator there too,” the judge accused him. “Yes, the tools are in there,” was the answer.
There is no money for removal
“If all this is stored for a long time, it will endanger the environment,” the chairman explained to him. “In the long term, yes, but I have already put most of it away,” the farmer claimed. A police officer who has been involved in the case for years says: “A few things have been cleared, but new things have also come in.” The authorities know that the man has the will, but not the money, for proper disposal.
According to his own statements, he takes some of the junk “out of the woods,” dismantles it and sells it. “You’re not a waste management company,” the police officer warned him in court, emphasizing: “You can’t just put an old truck on your lawn.” “It’s my pasture,” the defendant said, not very insightfully.
He was sentenced to three months suspended imprisonment. Even after the verdict, the suspect continued to show a lack of understanding. He announced an appeal. The verdict is not final.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
