Scrap metal offences result in fine
A man has been prosecuted by Carmarthenshire County Council for failing to fill in the appropriate documentation for the waste he was carrying.
Harry John Jones, aged 49, of Gwelfor, Fishguard, pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court.
The court heard that Jones was stopped by police and the council’s environmental enforcement officers in a white Mercedes Atego lorry on the A48 near Nantycaws as part of a joint operation targeting scrap metal thefts in Carmarthenshire. The vehicle was carrying a large consignment of scrap metals.
Jones told the officers that he was a registered waste carrier but that he had not completed waste transfer notes for the scrap metal.
He was cautioned and told that the facts of the case would be reported for the consideration of prosecuting him for the offence.
Jones was fined £350 by magistrates and ordered to pay £100 towards prosecution costs.
The council now hopes this case will act as a warning to others and help prevent the illegal transport of waste which often results in fly-tipping. More serious offences could lead to fines of up to £5,000.
Executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “All businesses that carry waste, including scrap merchants, skip companies, builders and gardeners, must have a waste carriers licence. They must also make sure they have the correct paperwork for all the waste they carry and only use licensed waste sites to dispose of their rubbish.
“We are working closely with the police, through the Community Safety Partnership, as part of a joint operation targeting scrap metal dealers in Carmarthenshire. Hopefully this fine will help to get the message across that anyone caught illegally transporting waste will be prosecuted through the courts.”
Harry John Jones, aged 49, of Gwelfor, Fishguard, pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court.
The court heard that Jones was stopped by police and the council’s environmental enforcement officers in a white Mercedes Atego lorry on the A48 near Nantycaws as part of a joint operation targeting scrap metal thefts in Carmarthenshire. The vehicle was carrying a large consignment of scrap metals.
Jones told the officers that he was a registered waste carrier but that he had not completed waste transfer notes for the scrap metal.
He was cautioned and told that the facts of the case would be reported for the consideration of prosecuting him for the offence.
Jones was fined £350 by magistrates and ordered to pay £100 towards prosecution costs.
The council now hopes this case will act as a warning to others and help prevent the illegal transport of waste which often results in fly-tipping. More serious offences could lead to fines of up to £5,000.
Executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “All businesses that carry waste, including scrap merchants, skip companies, builders and gardeners, must have a waste carriers licence. They must also make sure they have the correct paperwork for all the waste they carry and only use licensed waste sites to dispose of their rubbish.
“We are working closely with the police, through the Community Safety Partnership, as part of a joint operation targeting scrap metal dealers in Carmarthenshire. Hopefully this fine will help to get the message across that anyone caught illegally transporting waste will be prosecuted through the courts.”
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