Court slashes Zycko car-torching fine

Storage and networking distributor has environmental fine cut by two-thirds after appeal

Zycko has seen its fine for breaching pollution regulations at a ‘demolition derby’ it held in 2005 cut by two-thirds, following a successful appeal.

As reported by CRN (CRN, 26 April), the Environment Agency slapped the distributor with a £124,000 fine for torching cars in the aftermath of the high-octane event.

A plume of toxic black smoke was visible for miles around following the late late-night extravaganza, held on ground owned by Zycko chairman Rory Sweet.

But the penalty has now been cut to £44,000 following a successful appeal at Swindon Crown Court.

The distributor’s lawyer argued the incident was started by a single ‘rogue reveller’ and was not sanctioned by Zycko.

However, the defence team accepted the demolition derby was in contravention of an abatement order Zycko was served for holding a similar event in 2004.

A Zycko spokesperson told CRN: “Zycko has accepted the reduced fine following the appeal.”