Significant Penalty Imposed for Illegal Waste Operations
The operator of three unlawful waste disposal sites in close proximity to Harleston has been fined £20,000 and subjected to a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) following a period of illegal dumping, burial, and burning of waste that occurred from October 2023 to July 2024.
David Pipe, the director of D M Pipe Ltd, RRAGO Jack Leasing Ltd, and RRAGO Jack Recruitment Ltd, has also received a 12-month custodial sentence, which has been suspended for 18 months.
The CBO imposes strict conditions on Pipe, prohibiting him from engaging in any business related to the illegal collection, transportation, deposition, storage, or processing of waste without the appropriate permits. Furthermore, it mandates the removal of waste from all three sites within a 12-month timeframe.
Judicial Remarks Highlight Persistent Offences
In his comments, District Judge Matthew Bone emphasised the seriousness of the situation, stating, “You have had enough time. With respect to you, this [removing the waste] will be your priority. The position in this case is not a regulatory misunderstanding or uncertainty. The offending arose from a persistent failure over a protracted period. You knew what the notices required and chose not to do so.”
Pipe was found to have imported, stored, and incinerated large volumes of waste at a site known as Withersdale Hall. The Environment Agency’s officers first inspected the location in October 2023, discovering a skip containing burning wood, waste dumped in a historical moat, and substantial piles of waste stored in both buildings and additional skips, one of which bore the name ‘DM Pipe Groundworks’.
Upon receiving a cease-and-desist notice from the Environment Agency, Pipe was instructed to halt operations and remove all waste due to the absence of necessary environmental permits. Subsequent visits in November 2023 revealed that the waste remained and had even increased in quantity.
Continued Non-Compliance Leads to Legal Action
Following this, Pipe was invited for a voluntary interview under caution. However, after failing to respond, further inspections were conducted, revealing that the waste was still present. The Environment Agency subsequently issued a warning letter regarding potential legal action. The final inspection on 23 March 2026 confirmed that minimal progress had been made in clearing the site.
Lesley Robertson, the enforcement team leader at the Environment Agency in Norfolk, stated, “Where we find evidence of illegal activity, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action; the suspended sentence and CBO show how seriously the court views waste crime.”
Community Response and Ongoing Efforts Against Waste Crime
Councillor Tristan Gale, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for planning, devolution, and the fire service, welcomed the verdict, asserting that it sends a clear message that violations of planning and environmental regulations will not be tolerated. He expressed gratitude to Suffolk County Council officers and the Environment Agency for their diligence in bringing the case to court and reaffirmed the commitment to protect Suffolk’s communities and environment.
David Mark Pipe faced charges pertaining to two separate waste offences, which included operating a regulated facility without the requisite environmental permit and failing to comply with a notice requiring the removal of controlled waste from Withersdale Hall.
Strengthening the Fight Against Waste Crime
The Environment Agency has initiated a comprehensive ten-point plan to intensify its efforts against waste criminals. This approach includes proactive actions at larger sites, enhanced public information sharing, increased utilisation of enforcement tools, and a commitment to publicly naming and shaming illegal waste sites.
Since 2023, the Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted nearly 250 waste offences across England, resulting in fines exceeding £2.2 million and nearly 90 custodial or suspended sentences. In the fiscal year 2024/25 alone, the Agency closed 743 illegal waste sites, with 143 classified as high risk. Moreover, the economic crime unit has secured over £1.5 million in confiscation orders and has frozen nearly £21 million linked to money laundering associated with waste crime.