A ROGUE scrap metal dealer who was caught on camera trying to flee from a council official before being stopped by police has been left almost £600 worse off.

A neighbourhood warden saw a van loaded with scrap metal and a man stood among it as it headed along a back street in Stanley.

The warden drove up behind the van but, as the official’s ‘bodycam’ rolled, the man got inside through a window and it moved away.

Police were requested to stop the vehicle and officers eventually did so.

Driver Scott White, 34, of Potter Square, Sunderland, was found to have no licence to operate as a scrap dealer.

He has now been ordered to pay £573 by a court following a council prosecution.

Ian Hoult, the Durham county Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “White not only flouted the law but also attempted to evade our neighbourhood warden.

“White now has criminal convictions and a hefty bill to pay as a result of his actions and this case should act as a lesson to he and anyone else operating in this way that we will not tolerate illegal activity.”

Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard how at 11.30am on July 29 last year, the warden noticed the white Ford flatbed van travelling around the back streets of South Moor.

Durham Constabulary had the vehicle towed away due to the defendant not having insurance. It was returned to him once he had cover in place.

When questioned, White admitted he had no waste licence.

He was instructed to produce waste receipts and transfer notes within seven days but failed to do so.

He was invited to an interview and sent a list of questions but failed to respond.

Subsequent review of the bodycam footage also showed White dropping a cigarette butt which he failed to pick up.

He was given a fixed penalty notice of £80 but failed to pay it.

In court, White pleaded guilty to three charges: that he threw littler onto the ground and made no attempt to pick it up; operated as a scrap metal dealer without holding a Scrap Metal Collector Licence; and failed to produce when requested to do so copies of controlled waste transfer notes.

White offered no evidence in mitigation although the court heard he is a man of limited means.

He was fined £80 for the litter offence and £120 each for the other two charges.

White was also ordered to pay £233 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.