A MAN has been ordered to pay more than £500 after he was found trading as a scrap metal dealer in County Durham without a licence.
Durham County Council took legal action against Jackson Bainbridge, of School Road, in East Rainton, near Houghton-le-Spring, after police discovered and seized a damaged vehicle in Peterlee.
During the recovery, Bainbridge approached the officers and explained the vehicle was his as he had just collected it that morning to be scrapped, adding that he had a valid scrap metal licence.
Bainbridge’s own van was also in the area at the time advertising for scrap metal.
Durham police notified the council of the incident and checks were made in the council’s database.
The checks showed Bainbridge did not have a valid scrap metal licence and letters were sent to the 20-year-old, inviting him to be interviewed under caution.
Bainbridge failed to attend the interview and appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court charged with carrying on business as a scrap metal dealer without an authorised licence.
He pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a £250 fine, £253.50 costs, and a victim surcharge of £34.
Joanne Waller, Durham County Council’s head of community protection, said: “It is vitally important that residents make sure they dispose of any waste correctly.
"This is even more important for those who advertise to dispose of items as scrap metal, as not having the appropriate licence can have serious consequences.
“This case should serve as a reminder to waste carriers to ensure they have the correct licences to dispose of scrap metal and other materials.
"It should also be a reminder to members of the public to check that anyone they have hired to dispose of scrap metal has the required licence to do so.”
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325-505054.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here