THE FORMER boss of a waste recycling firm that composted rubbish for Gwent councils is today due to stand trial for allegedly failing to comply with environmental permit conditions.

Jacqueline Powell, 58, was a director of Wormtech Ltd, a company that treated waste from local authorities, including Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Monmouthshire, on land in Caerwent.

Powell, of Manor Way, Cardiff, is charged with one count of consenting or conniving as a director of a company in the commission of an offence and three counts of failing to comply with a condition of an environmental permit.

She appeared yesterday [January 6] at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday for the first day of a trial expected to last at least two weeks.

A jury was sworn in during the afternoon.

Timothy Evans, representing the Environment Agency, is due to open the prosecution case today [January 7].

Judge Neil Bidder, QC, is to oversee the trial.

Adam Vaitilingam, QC, will be representing the defendant.