A 31-year-old man has been landed with a bill of more than £3,000 in fines and costs after he was prosecuted for being an unlicensed waste operator.
The case was brought by The Environment Agency against Stephen Hornby, of Central Avenue, Stapleford, and was proved in his absence at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 14, 2020, after he failed to attend.
He was fined £1,100, ordered to pay costs of £2,107.84 and a victim surcharge fee of £110.
Hornby was directed to stop by a multi-agency operation staged at Buzz Bingo, Gala Way, Nottingham, on September 26, 2019.
He was driving a Ford transit flatbed vehicle bearing the sign ‘Hornby’s Home and Garden Improvements.’
Officials found that the vehicle was carrying waste including a tree stump, branches, plastic wrapping, a fence panel and concrete and rubble.
The defendant was given a letter advising him to register as a waste carrier within ten days.
However, a further check on the database on October 14, 2019, showed that no records of a registration had taken place.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We hope that this result will send a clear message to waste recycling operators that they should make sure they are fully licensed.
“We are actively targeting illegal waste activities across the country and urge all those seeking to become involved in the waste industry to ensure they have the appropriate permits and authorisations.
“Everyone has a part to play to help solve the waste crime problem and make sure waste is managed responsibly.
“If you pass your waste to someone else to take away for you, you must first check they are registered with the Environment Agency, so it doesn’t end up in the hands of operators who break the law.”
* Businesses and householders should carry out checks to ensure that they are using legitimate companies to deal with their waste.
To check if a waste carrier is genuine visit: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers
