Two men denied running an illegal waste operation on the outskirts of Newport, for which they cashed cheques for more than one hundred thousand pounds.

Anthony Holwell, 48, of Coedkernew and Stephen Richards, 51, of Richmond Road, Cardiff, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court.

Holwell pleaded not guilty to 14 counts and Richards pleaded not guilty to seven counts relating to keeping waste without an environmental permit, in Coedkernew, Marshfield and St Brides.

The charges date between January 2006 and April 2009.

Richards denied three counts of converting criminal property, that between November 2007 and August 2008, he cashed cheques for £62,322, £19,246.50 and £59,125.

Holwell denied two counts of transferring criminal property, that he transferred cheques for £5,875 and £3,995.50 into a bank account for Lift and Shift Services. He also denied concealing another cheque for £4,230.

Holwell is also charged on seven counts relating to depositing, storing, treating and sorting waste at Beryhill Cottage, Coedkernew.

The charges relate to construction and demolition waste being kept in a manner likely to cause pollution and asbestos that could harm human health.

There are also two counts for keeping waste at The Barn, Ty Mawr Lane, Marshfield and two counts relating to depositing waste with no license on land adjacent to housing in Marshfield.

Richards also denies causing pollution through keeping asbestos, keeping waste on land at St Brides and two counts of keeping construction and demolition waste at Berryhill Cottage.

Recorder of Cardiff Nicholas Cooke said a trial date will be set on Monday, May 24.