Sunderland scrap man fined for working without proper licence

Husband's van was caught on camera during the investigation.

Kieran Husband, 22, from Houghton le Spring, was seen collecting scrap by a Durham County Council warden but was unable to produce controlled waste transfer notes.

He was taken to court by the council for the failure to produce, pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay £658.

Peterlee Magistrates Court heard how the council warden was on duty on September 13 last year when he saw a van carrying scrap metal at Fence Houses.

The warden followed the vehicle in his own until it pulled up at a tyre yard in Sunderland.

The council employee attempted to speak to the occupants of the van at the site but was prevented from doing so with it eventually pulling away while his own vehicle was blocked

in.

The warden later saw the same vehicle driving towards Seaham and pulling into a local scrap yard.

Police, whose help had been requested by the warden, arrived and spoke to the driver who identified himself as Husband, of Brinkburn Crescent.

Under questioning from the warden, Husband said he had a waster carrier’s licence.

However, when he produced the document, it was in the name of his father for whom Husband said he was working.

The defendant also told the warden he did not have a scrap licence badge, receipts for the scrap in the van or any tipping notes.

Husband was served with a notice requiring him to produce receipts and tipping notes for the previous six months but failed to do so.

As a result, he was prosecuted by the council for failing to produce the documents.

Husband pleaded guilty and told the court unknown people “dump stuff” on his land and he cleans it up.

When asked why he had not produced the notes, the defendant said he would not write anything down while out collecting.

He was fined £480 and ordered to pay a £48 victim surcharge and £130 in costs.

Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “Anyone collecting scrap metal must by law have the appropriate licence to do so.

“If not they face being taken to court like Mr Husband and ending up with a criminal record and a stiff financial penalty.”

Licence application forms are available here.