A Bedale man faced court for creating a hazardous waste pile near groundwater
Bedale: Oliver Henry Alexander King, 52, left a huge pile of waste near groundwater. This posed risks for pollution and fire.
The waste included wood, plastics, metal, and even household items like fridges. It was a big mess that needed to be cleaned up.
King went to York Magistrates Court on January 24. He pleaded guilty to operating a waste site without a permit and ignoring a cleanup notice.
He rented land next to allotments on Oran Lane in Catterick. The Environment Agency checked the site after getting reports of illegal waste activity.
King received a 12-month community order and must do 110 hours of unpaid work. He also has to pay over £5,400 in costs and a victim surcharge.
He must clear all the waste by March 21 and take it to a proper disposal site. The Environment Agency had given him a deadline to follow.
After several visits, the agency found the waste still there on March 20, 2024. King claimed he didn’t know he needed a permit until the agency informed him.
He said he stopped bringing in waste but lacked funds to remove it. He mentioned selling a property to pay for the cleanup.
However, by August 23, 2024, he still hadn’t met the requirements. The Environment Agency stressed that permits protect the public and environment.
They noted that King had many chances to clear the site but didn’t follow through. Illegal waste activities harm legitimate businesses and the community.
If you see illegal waste activity, report it to the Environment Agency at 0800 807060 or Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
