A man has been ordered to pay over £500 after he was found trading as a scrap metal dealer without a licence.
Durham County Council took legal action against Jackson Bainbridge, of School Road in Houghton-le-Spring, after police discovered and seized a damaged vehicle in Peterlee.
Bainbridge approached the officers during the recovery and explained the vehicle was his and that he had just collected it that morning to be scrapped. He also told officers that he had a valid scrap metal licence.
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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, which then showed he did not have a valid scrap metal licence
Letters were then sent to the 20-year-old inviting him to be interviewed under caution which he failed to attend.
Bainbridge 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.”
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