A Plymouth man has been ordered to pay a massive £5,000 after collecting scrap metal without a licence.
The 58 year-old Devonport resident was prosecuted at Plymouth Magistrates court on Tuesday following an investigation by the Council into his business.
The court heard how despite being advised by the Council that he needed to be licenced, the man continued to operate his business illegally and that over a period of six months, without a Waste Carriers Licence or Scrap Metal Dealers Licence in place.
During this time, he deposited scrap metal to the value of £10,397.99.
The court was further advised that the man advertise his business as a scrap metal dealer. Scrap metal dealers must keep records of what they are collecting and from whom and must be licensed. They must also hold a waste carriers licence with the Environment Agency.
The man was fined £2,640 for operating without a scrap metal Licence and a further £1,043 for operating without a waste Carriers Licence. He was also ordered to pay £1,136 costs and a victim surcharge of £181.
Councillor Sally Haydon, the Cabinet Member for Customer Focus and Community Safety said: “We hope the sentence sends a strong message that the collection, storage or sale of commercial and domestic scrap metal must be correctly licensed.
“We need to support our legitimate licensed traders who are operating in accordance with the law.
“There is no excuse not to be licensed and the council will continue to investigate and prosecute businesses that operate illegally.”
More information on licensing and permits can be found on our website: www.plymouth.gov.uk/licensingandpermits