Cheltenham Waste Operator Hit with £12,000 Fine for Illegal Diesel Disposal

The operator of a waste management site in Cheltenham has been hit with a substantial fine totalling £47,000 following the unlawful disposal of red diesel from one of its screening machines in Lower Slaughter in November 2022.

J. Gilder Earthmoving and Aggregates Ltd faced the Gloucester Crown Court on 5 October 2026, with its director, Joseph Gilder, present for sentencing regarding the illegal discharge of red diesel onto the ground on or before 17 November 2022. The company had previously entered a guilty plea to the charges brought against it.

Judge’s Strong Remarks on Environmental Negligence

During the proceedings, Judge Rupert Lowe expressed his dismay at the company’s actions, stating, “The company had deliberately chosen to ignore the red diesel rules and then deliberately spilled the fuel.” He further emphasised, “There was no reason for this offence to be committed at all – it was a deliberate and blatant attempt to evade the law and hinder those who are committed to protecting the environment.”

On the day of the incident, 17 November 2022, officials from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) conducted an unannounced inspection of the site to ascertain whether J. Gilder was still using illegal red diesel. Although the site was operational and Gilder was present, entry was initially denied to the inspectors. In a bid to circumvent detection, either Gilder or an associate was seen emptying red diesel from a scalping screener, which is utilised for separating bulky construction waste.

After being delayed for over two hours, HMRC officers were eventually permitted access, where they discovered two large pools of red diesel on the ground. Following this, HMRC notified the Environment Agency, which subsequently visited the site and collected soil samples to assess the level of ground contamination.

Consequences of Environmental Violation

A spokesperson from the Environment Agency remarked, “J. Gilder Earthmoving & Aggregates Ltd deliberately caused pollution by pouring red diesel, which it was illegally using, onto the ground. This was a reckless act aimed at avoiding detection by HMRC.” They further assured that any evidence of illegal pollution would prompt decisive enforcement action.

As a result of the unlawful use of red diesel, HMRC issued a fine, while the Environment Agency brought charges against J. Gilder Earthmoving & Aggregates Ltd for environmental breaches related to the fuel discharge.

Following the incident, the Environment Agency facilitated the removal of approximately 3.5 tonnes of the most contaminated soil from the site, mitigating the long-term effects of the spillage and reducing the risk of groundwater contamination.

In total, J. Gilder Earthmoving & Aggregates Ltd was fined £12,000, in addition to being ordered to pay £33,610.06 in costs and a £2,000 statutory surcharge.

Strengthening Measures Against Waste Crime

The Environment Agency has implemented a comprehensive 10-point plan aimed at intensifying the fight against waste-related criminal activities. This initiative involves specialist officers taking proactive measures on larger sites, enhancing information sharing with the public, utilising a wider array of enforcement tools, and actively naming and shaming illegal waste operations.

Since 2023, the Environment Agency has achieved nearly 250 prosecutions for waste offences across England, with courts imposing fines exceeding £2.2 million and nearly 90 custodial or suspended prison sentences handed down. In the fiscal year 2024/25, the agency successfully closed 743 illegal waste sites nationwide, 143 of which were classified as high-risk.

Additionally, the Environment Agency’s economic crime unit has secured over £1.5 million in confiscation orders in recent years, while investigations into money laundering linked to waste crime have resulted in the freezing of approximately £21 million.