A conman who falsely claimed he was registered to remove asbestos from locations in Cambridgeshire has been ordered to pay back £82,100.  

Lee Charles used false paperwork to win high-value contracts, and St Ives, Huntingdon, Peterborough and Cambridge were among the 40 locations where he took on work.  

The 40-year-old was awarded jobs under the company name Lincs Demolition Ltd, but didn’t have a legal permit from the Environment Agency. 

He also hid the dismantled asbestos in hired storage containers in Lincolnshire – just 200m from a school and close to a Girl Guide centre.

Charles, of Caldicot Gardens, Grantham, told the owners of the storage space he wanted to keep tools there. 

It was only when he failed to pay the rent, the owners forced open the locks open and came across the dangerous contents.  

The Hunts Post: Inside the storage container where Lee Charles had been stashing broken asbestos.Inside the storage container where Lee Charles had been stashing broken asbestos. (Image: Environment Agency)Last year, Charles was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, when the case was heard at Lincoln Crown Court. 

On Monday (May 22), the same court decided he must pay £82,100 in a proceeds of crime order.    

Paul Salter, an environmental waste crime officer for the Environment Agency, said: “Lee Charles’ crimes were not just illegal, but dangerous.  

“He has been ordered to pay back money, and this sends out a clear message to others who flout the law that waste crime doesn’t pay.” 

“Not only do we use environmental law to prosecute offenders, but use proceeds of crime orders to ensure that criminals are deprived of the benefits of their illegal activity.” 

The Hunts Post: Environment Agency image of broken asbestos in the case of Lee Charles.Environment Agency image of broken asbestos in the case of Lee Charles. (Image: Environment Agency)

He added: “The Environment Agency supports legitimate business by disrupting and stopping the criminal element, backed up by the threat of tough enforcement, as in this case.  

“We continue to use intelligence-led approaches to target the most serious crimes and evaluate which interventions are most effective.” 

Asbestos is a hazardous substance when disturbed and carcinogenic.  

The UK banned its use in 1999.