"We believe Mr Anderson was involved in a number of serious fly-tipping offences in North and South East London, and in Essex. Our investigations date back into incidents from 2003, and as the case is due to be heard at Inner London Crown Court, we are unable to give specific details of the case"
Owen Bolton, Senior Environmental Crime Officer at the Environment Agency, Anglian Region
Peterborough, England: The Environment Agency has used a European Arrest Warrant for the first time and brought an Irishman back to the UK. The man was believed to have been involved in a number of serious waste crimes involving fly-tipping.
Patrick Joseph Anderson was detained by Irish police and deported on 25 October following a European Arrest Warrant being issued. Mr Anderson was flown back to London Heathrow where he was re-arrested.
In October 2006, the Agency attempted to serve a court summons which had originally been issued to Mr Anderson at his last known address in England. However it became apparent he had sold up and moved back to Ireland.
The Agency's Head Office Legal Team secured the European Arrest Warrant with the assistance of the Crown Prosecution Service. The Environment Agency says that this case sends out a clear message that it will use all the powers at its disposal to ensure those who it believes may be involved in crimes against the environment are bought to justice.
Waste crime is a serious problem that not only damages the environment, but brings significant costs to those landowners (victims) on whose land the waste is deposited - through costs of clean-up. These activities also undermine the legitimate businesses who handle waste in accordance with the law, says the Agency.
Mr Anderson is currently on conditional police bail. Under the conditions of bail he has handed in his passport and lives at a UK address. In addition he has paid a bond of £5,000 and is required to report to the local police station once a week.
Owen Bolton, Senior Environmental Crime Officer at the Environment Agency, Anglian Region, who led the investigations said:
“This is the first time the Environment Agency has been successful in using a European Arrest Warrant to bring someone to face prosecution for waste crime.
“We believe Mr Anderson was involved in a number of serious fly-tipping offences in North and South East London, and in Essex. Our investigations date back into incidents from 2003, and as the case is due to be heard at Inner London Crown Court, we are unable to give specific details of the case.”