MAGISTRATES have fined three men for carrying scrap metal illegally.

John McDonagh, Jonathan Hepple and Connor Smith all appeared in court in separate cases prosecuted by Durham County Council.

Ian Hoult, the council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “These cases show how important it is to have the right documents if you are carrying waste.

“If you don’t you could end up in court with a fine.”

McDonagh, 35, of Sherburn Terrace, Consett, admitted failing to produce waste transfer notes and was fined £40 and ordered to pay £130 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Peterlee Magistrates Court heard last Friday how a neighbourhood warden approached McDonagh who was driving a Ford Transit van carrying scrap metal and garden waste in the Consett area last June.

Hepple, 29, of Dipton, Consett, failed to attend court in Peterlee and was found guilty in his absence of transporting controlled waste when not a registered carrier in Consett last July.

He was fined £330 and ordered to pay £130 costs and a £33 victim surcharge.

On Tuesday, magistrates in Consett heard how wardens asked Smith, 25, of Longacre, Houghton-le-Spring, if he had a waste carrier’s licence after he was seen driving a vehicle carrying scrap metal in the Stanley area.

He pleaded guilty to failing to produce waste transfer notes and was fined £180 and ordered to pay £130 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Mr Hoult said: “As part of Operation Stop, our multi-agency campaign against waste crime, we carry out regular stop and checks of vehicles transporting waste so be warned: if you haven’t got a licence we will take action.”