A man who ran an illegal waste business in Berkshire has been arrested at Heathrow airport after trying to flee the country without paying £881, 513 of court fines.

In 2008, the Environment Agency brought a case against Amrik Johal, 55, for running an illegal waste site in Slough, Berkshire after neighbours complained of noisy activities at the site. These included the crushing of cars, the burning of diesel, and dumping of waste between January 2006 and March 2007.

On 23 April 2010, Johal was convicted of five charges relating to the illegal retention of controlled waste (contrary to Section 33 of the Environment Protection Act 1990) at Bracknell Magistrates’ Court. He was given a two-year community sentence on 4 August 2011 at Reading Crown Court and was ordered to pay £881, 513 on 7 July 2011, under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

However, Johal failed to pay the full amount and, after missing a court date to explain why he had not paid up, a warrant for his arrest was issued on 10 May 2013.

His attempt to flee the country was scuppered on Thursday, when airport security checks found that a warrant with no bail had been issued for him.

In a dramatic turn of events, the Metropolitan Police Special Branch at Heathrow Airport was forced to stop the Dehli-bound plane while it was taxiing, and Johal was arrested on the runway.

He has now been jailed for three years.

Prosecution Team Leader for the South East region of the Environment Agency, Angus Innes, said: “Thanks to both the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Southeast Regional Confiscation Unit HMCTS, Mr Johal was prevented from leaving the country and is now in prison.

“Waste crime puts people and the environment at risk and undermines legitimate businesses.

“Mr Johal’s imprisonment sends out a clear message to all those who commit waste offences. Disobey the law and you will be punished.”

Read more about EA's action on illegal waste activities.