A SCRAP metal dealer who claimed he did not need a licence to operate in County Durham because he was only passing through has appeared in court.

Paul Bond was driving a vehicle carrying scrap metal when he was stopped by police in Esh Winning last January.

A Durham County Council neighbourhood warden, who was also present, asked to see his scrap metal collector’s licence and waste receipts but he failed to produce any of the documents.

Bond told the warden that he did not have a licence to collect scrap metal in the county and a check later confirmed this to be correct. It also revealed that he had not applied for a licence.

The 42-year-old pleaded not guilty to operating without a licence when he appeared at Peterlee Magistrate’s Court.

He told magistrates that he had been passing through the county after visiting a friend when he was stopped. He claimed he had not been collecting scrap that day and did not collect in County Durham so would not have required a licence.

He would not confirm where he had collected the metal from but said that he did not hold a licence to operate as a scrap metal collector anywhere.

Magistrates found Bond of Teviot Street, Easington Lane, guilty of operating as a scrap metal dealer without a licence.

Bond had previously pleaded guilty to a second charge of failing to produce copies of waste transfer notes within seven days for the period between 1 August, 2014 and 28 January, 2015.

He was fined £120 for operating without a scrap metal licence and a further £120 for failing to produce waste receipts.

He was also ordered to pay £400 in costs and a victim surcharge of £24.

Anyone who suspects someone is carrying scrap metal without the correct paperwork should contact 03000 261 000.