Man fined for waste offence

A MAN has been prosecuted for failing to fill in the appropriate documentation for the waste he was carrying.

Jamie Lee Smith, aged 22, of Amphion Court, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, pleaded guilty by post to an offence under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court.

The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The court heard that Smith was driving a Ford Transit pick-up truck which was carrying a consignment of scrap metals when he was stopped by police at Pendine Hill in Pendine.

On questioning, the officer established that no waste transfer notes had been completed in respect of the scrap metals on his vehicle.

The matter was referred to the council’s environmental enforcement section for prosecution.

Smith was fined £250 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.

“Hopefully this fine will help to get the message across that anyone caught illegally transporting waste will be prosecuted through the courts.”

The council work in partnership with the police and other agencies to target illegal waste carriers.