Environment Agency obtains £200k confiscation order against waste operator

The Environment Agency has secured a £200,000 confiscation order against a waste operator over environmental offences at sites he operated with his brother in Swindon.

One of the yards operated by Lee Averies, at Marshgate in Swindon, suffered a significant blaze in 2014.

At a hearing at Swindon Crown Court last week (18 March) the Environment Agency recovered £200,000 from Lee Averies under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The defendant could face prison if he does not pay up within three months.

Judge Jason Taylor QC also ordered Averies, 49, of The Marsh, in Wanborough, to pay a contribution of £15,000 towards the Environment Agency’s legal and investigation costs.

His company, Calne Aggregates Holdings Ltd, currently in liquidation, was given a nominal penalty of £1.

The court had frozen seven personal and business bank accounts linked to the waste dealer at an earlier hearing, after an application by the Environment Agency.

David Averies, the brother, was fined and ordered to pay £50,000 in costs by the court in 2016.

Colin Chiverton, Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in Wiltshire, said: “The Environment Agency will do everything in its power to prevent waste crime and punish those who profit from it.

“Our extensive investigation found companies linked to Lee Averies earned significant amounts of money from stockpiling waste, and failing to exercise proper controls over the sites. He benefitted personally.

“We have ensured neither Averies nor his businesses operate any permitted waste sites, or become registered waste-carriers, such as providing skips for hire. Averies remains subject to a five-year criminal behaviour order, preventing him from any involvement in the waste business until 2021.