A man who was caught transporting scrap illegally has been prosecuted for flouting environmental laws.
John James Maddison, of South View, Easington Lane near Houghton-le-Spring, was caught transporting waste without a licence in Seaham.
His vehicle, which was carrying scrap metal including washers and cookers, was stopped in March as part of a routine check on waste carriers.
Maddison, 30, had been calling at houses collecting unwanted items with the intention of selling it to a scrap yard in Wingate, but when interviewed by council officers he was found to be operating without the required licence.
Appearing at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court (5 August), he pleaded guilty and was fined £50. He was also ordered to pay a contribution to costs of £100 due to his limited income, and a £15 victim surcharge.
Ian Hoult, District of Easington Council’s Environmental Enforcement Manager, said: “I hope this prosecution acts as a deterrent to those who pose as legitimate waste carriers.
“Routine stop and searches on individuals or businesses carrying waste are carried out in the district as part of our work to reduce flytipping, and as this case shows we will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who does not comply with the law.”
Householders and businesses are reminded that they have a duty to make sure that anyone they use to take away waste has a valid licence. If they fail to do so they could also face prosecution.
To request a waste carrier validation check call the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 or on-line at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/publicregister
News article created on the 28 August 2008