Francis Gregory of Foxfield Road, Crossmaglen, was handed a six-month suspended sentence after allowing his property to be used by fuel launders.

The plant, namely a shed and equipment, along with 18,700 litres of laundered fuel and 1,300 litres of waste, were discovered in the farmer’s shed by officers from HM Revenue and Customs in August 2014.

In May, Francis Gregory was found guilty of possession of a shed and equipment used in fuel laundering.

On 7 September, the 49-year-old was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

The total cleanup costs to dismantle the plant were in excess of £14,000.

Steve Tracey, assistant director, fraud investigation service, HM Revenue and Customs, said: “Fuel fraudsters do not act alone and need the help of landowners like Gregory to facilitate their fraud by allowing laundering plants to be concealed on their property.”