View source for R v Anglian Water Services Ltd

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox Court Case
| name = R v Anglian Water Services Ltd
| court = [[Court of Appeal]]
| image = File:Anglian Water ,Water Treatment Works - geograph.org.uk - 1310384.jpg
| caption = [[Anglian Water]] treatment works
| date decided =
| full name =
| citations =  [2003] EWCA Crim 2243
| judges =
| prior actions =
| subsequent actions =
| opinions =
| transcripts =
| keywords = Water
}}
'''''R v Anglian Water Services Ltd''''' [2003] EWCA Crim 2243 is a [[UK enterprise law]] case, concerning [[water in the UK]].
==Facts==
Anglian claimed it should not pay a £200k fine for causing sewage discharge into a river, under [[Water Resources Act 1991]] section 85(3), causing serious fish and wildlife damage. It was found grossly irresponsible. It was argued the act was not criminal as section 85(3) required no ''[[mens rea]]'', and Anglian argued it has no causative culpability. The company maintained a bolt whose thread broke was unforeseeable, so Anglian could not be at fault, and such a high fine would [[impact investment]].
==Judgment==
Scott Baker LJ held the fine was manifestly excessive for a single offence, and reduced it to £60k. Anglian acted promptly, had pleaded guilty and there was no concern of cutting corners.<ref>''[[SS for the Environment, Transport and the Regions v Yorkshire Water Services Ltd]]'' [2001] EWCA Crim 2635 considered.</ref> The fine had to be at a level to ensure it could not be cheaper to pay fines than to invest. Magistrates were always right to refuse jurisdiction for fines over £20k.
Henriques J and Recorder of Bristol agreed.
==See also==
{{Clist water}}
*[[United Kingdom enterprise law]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
==References==
*
[[Category:United Kingdom enterprise case law]]