Article in Gazette, printed 30th December 2008
'Power bosses due in court'
Power stations bosses will be appearing in court over charges relating to the disposal of radioactive waste - and could face massive fines.
Representatives from Magnox Electric, formerly Nuclear Electric, are due in the dock at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, following eight alleged offences involving possible leaks at the Bradwell power station, opposite Mersea Island.
Magistrates decided in January that the case would have to go to crown court due to the complexities of the case and the likely scale of the fines if Magnox is found guilty.
Magistrates' powers to fine in these circumstances are limited to £20,000 per offence.
The trial, which is expected to last for about two weeks, will be investigating the disposal of waste from approximately 1990 to 2004, specifically around a sump at the power station.