Warrant Issued After Waste Crime Kingpin Skips Court
A waste crime offender has been convicted in his absence after dodging court last week. David Lee, 46, also known as David Ham, failed to show up at Oxford magistrates’ court, leading to a conviction on three counts of illegal waste activity.
Illegal Waste Dump Near Protected Nature Spots
Lee, formerly of North Four Shires Stone Farm on London Road, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, has been running a commercial skip business illegally from a caravan on a nearby farm.
He dumped, sorted, stored, and even burned waste without the necessary environmental permits. The site is alarmingly close to two protected areas: less than a mile from the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and less than half a mile from the Site of Special Scientific Interest at Wolford Wood.
Ignored Stop Notices, Kept Burning Waste
The Environment Agency officers visited the site in May 2021 after reports of waste burning. They found household rubbish, construction debris, furniture, metal, and piles of smouldering waste. Despite repeated warnings to halt all illegal activity and clear the site, Lee kept operating and continued burning waste, forcing multiple fire service call-outs.
Prosecution Leads to Arrest Warrant
The agency served Lee a notice to clear the waste in November 2021, but he ignored it. Following failed attempts to make him comply, prosecutors took the case to court.
Lee was found guilty of three offences under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990:
- Operating a waste facility without a permit
- Failing to comply with a notice to remove waste
- Knowingly allowing burning of permit-controlled waste
Now, a warrant is out for Lee’s arrest — no bail. Authorities warn that waste crime threatens communities and ecosystems, especially near protected sites.
“We are pleased to secure this conviction for running an illegal unpermitted waste operation,” said an Environment Agency spokesperson. “Waste crime has serious environmental impacts and undermines legitimate businesses. If you suspect waste crime, report it immediately to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
The illegal dump lies about 1.7 kilometres east of Moreton-in-Marsh, beside the busy A44 linking Oxford and Worcester.
