Prosecutors get more time in Mildenhall oil spill trial

Prosecutors get more time in Mildenhall oil spill trial
By Sean Kimmons, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, May 15, 2008

BURY ST. EDMUNDS, England — Prosecutors have been granted additional time to dig up documents proving that two British contractors took part in a massive jet fuel spill on RAF Mildenhall last year, the magistrates’ court here heard Tuesday afternoon.

Subcontractor Roy Clarke, of Underground Solutions, already admitted his guilt for puncturing an underground jet fuel line as he drilled a nearly 200-foot hole next to a taxiway. The subcontractor was drilling on behalf of T. Clarke (Midlands) Ltd., no relation to Roy Clarke.

The British Environment Agency filed charges against both contractors for polluting controlled water after roughly 44,000 gallons of jet fuel soaked into the ground in the April 20, 2007, incident.

T. Clarke pleaded not guilty to the charge, which carries a maximum fine of 20,000 pounds (about $40,000).

District Judge David Cooper delayed the trial until July 1 to give prosecutors a chance to prepare reports that they say confirm T. Clarke had directed Roy Clarke to drill in the area.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54815