Man fined for illegally carrying scrap metal

A LLANELLI man has been fined for illegally carrying scrap metal.

James Owen Squires, aged 33, of New Dock Road, pleaded guilty at Carmarthen Magistrates Court to two offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Control of Pollution Amendment Act 1989.

The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The court heard that council environmental enforcement officers and police stopped a pick-up truck on the A48 travelling towards Carmarthen as part of a multi-agency operation targeting scrap metal dealers.

The vehicle was carrying a cooker, wire, chainsaw and a battery.

The officers spoke to the driver who identified himself as James Owen Squires and asked him where the scrap had come from and if he had any waste transfer notes, which are required by law.

He said he didn’t and he was issued with a notice the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in which he had seven days to reply.

The officers then asked if he was registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier, Squires said he was.

However, when officers went to check the public register of waste carriers , there was no licence in force at the address provided by Squires. A letter was sent to Squires giving him a further seven days to provide his waste transfer notes and for him to provide proof that he is registered as a waste carrier.

A further two letters were sent asking Squires to attend for interview, however he failed to reply and was prosecuted in court as a result.

He was fined £300 by magistrates and ordered to pay £235.08 prosecution coasts and a £15 victim surcharge.

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.

It is working closely with the police, through the Community Safety Partnership, as part of a joint operation targeting scrap metal dealers in Carmarthenshire.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones 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.”