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North East waste site operator jailed over “obvious” fire risk

24 February 2025

CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS, aged 66, of Acton Dene in Stanley has been jailed for operating an illegal waste site in a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency. Williams appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on 13 February for sentencing. He had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of operating a waste site without an environmental permit at Whinfield Industrial Estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Williams was duly sentenced to 44 weeks in prison, comprising 26 weeks and a further 18 weeks because the conviction placed him in breach of a suspended sentence imposed for previous environmental offences.

“Obvious” fire risk

Gary Wallace, area environment manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said: “Not only was the waste on site illegal, but there was a very obvious fire risk. Williams was given ample opportunity to clear the waste and was advised how he could operate within the law. Instead, he continued to breach the law with no consideration for the environment or community.”

Wallace added: “Environmental permits are in place to protect the public and the environment. We hope this sentence sends out the message to others that we will take action against those involved in illegal waste activity.”   

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard that Williams runs an organisation called the LCA Community Charity, which is not a registered charity, from an industrial unit at the site. Advertisements suggest that it offers help with clothing, furniture and household donations.

The organisation and the defendant both hold waste carrier licences, which is a legal requirement to be able to transport waste.

Household waste

On 17 November 2022, Environment Agency officers attended the unit. Outside, they saw a large amount of household waste, including more than 50 fridges and fridge freezers, dismantled furniture, mattresses, sink units and toilet bowls, baths and doors among other general waste.

Most of the waste was mixed together, with some looking like it had been there for a long time. Inside the unit was an office area with some household items for sale.

Inside one of the two sheds on site, waste was piled 12 feet high. Across the site, the illegally stored waste posed a fire risk, with no separation between piles, meaning that if a fire broke out it would spread quickly.

Environment Agency officers spoke to Williams. He was requested to remove the waste by 16 January 2023. In a follow-up letter, Williams was advised about waste exemptions, which allows for low level waste activity without the need for a permit that could allow him to sort recyclable waste for recovery and operate within the law.

On 17 January, Environment Agency officers returned, only to find that there was more waste present, with a noticeable increase in broken wooden furniture. Officers expressed concerns about the fire risk.

Numerous return visits

In the following months, through March and into the summer, Environment Agency officers made numerous site visits where they saw waste present. At one point, Williams said that half of the fridges had “gone to Africa”.

Fridges, of course, contain refrigerant gases and blown foam insulation, with old fridges classed as hazardous waste. As such, they should be disposed of at a suitably licensed facility.

Williams also informed Environment Agency officers that he had no waste transfer notes, which are a legal requirement in order to trace the movement of waste between one place and another.

Officers explained to Williams that the deadline for clearing the site passed in January 2023. During a visit in September last year, officers inspected the site and found it was still operating as an illegal waste facility. Williams claimed to still be busy clearing the site.

 
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