Wife of crime boss ‘Hotdog' to ‘live in tent' when illegal scrap yard is shut down as she's kicked out of 8-bed home

The Irish Sun

a day ago

THE wife of a crime boss has claimed she may have to live in a tent when she is evicted by authorities next week.
Mary Smith, 48, and her husband Tommy 'Hotdog' Smith will be imminently booted from their eight bedroom detached house in Great Harwood, Lancashire.
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Mary Smith says she will need to live in a tent when she is evicted from her Lancashire home next week
Credit: MEN Media
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The wife of crime boss Tommy 'Hotdog' Smith said she was not connected to those engaged in criminal acts on the scrapyard
Credit: MEN Media
The couple's site is also stacked with static caravans and stables for dozens of horses.
Those occupying the land will be evicted after a court order was issued by Judge Guy Mathieson following a spate of criminality, including illegal waste collection and fires.
In May, firefighters spent several days putting out raging fires outside the illegal scrapyard after illegal waste was dumped in the area.
And following reports of a disturbance at the site on Bonfire Night in November, cops were attacked with fireworks as they attempted to defuse the issue.
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Mrs Smith's lawyers accepted the justification for the order, but argued the welfare of the couple's children and animal should be highlighted and argued for partial closure.
This was swiftly rejected by Judge Mathieson.
Mrs Smith alleged that tenants she had previously evicted were responsible for the fires and that she had no affiliation with them after Mr Smith was jailed seven years ago.
Judge Mathieson said: "This closure order has been hanging over you for six months or more. In the event we make a full closure order, what thought processes and what plans have you put in place?"
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Mrs Smith replied: "Me and my daughter Indiana have bought a tent, a two man tent. That is all."
The judge asked: "You have a £1.4 million turnover and you are going to live in a tent?"
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Mrs Smith replied: "I don't know what you are talking about. I don't own any business. Sir, I think you have got it wrong.
"My husband has been in jail for the past seven years, I haven't had any business for at least six years.
"At the moment sir, I have had to sign on benefits."
Mark Chester, representing Lancashire Constabulary, said there was a 'staggering' list of previous enforcement action going back 'years' to tackle issues on the site.
He said: "None of these measures have had the necessary effect and what is very clear is that as soon as these orders lapse, the lucrative business of waste management continues.
"This has been years of misery being heaped on local residents."
He added that neighbours were unable to open their windows due to "putrid smells" coming from the site, with some suffering breathing difficulties.
Judge Mathieson granted a full closure order meaning more than 100 officials from the police, council, RSPCA and Environment Agency will move in to secure the site and prevent occupants from access.
He said: "The fact is, the occupants of this site have done nothing to address the reasons behind the closure order. They have, either directly or indirectly by letting their tenants, continue to commit nuisance and continue to operate a highly profitable business.
"The only way to ensure the cessation of this is to grant a full closure order."