Man traded illegally as scrap metal dealer without licence

A Washington man has found himself more than £800 out of pocket after pleading guilty to illegally trading as a scrap metal dealer.

Steven Adams, of Collingwood Court, in Sulgrave, admitted trading as a scrap metal dealer without a scrap metal licence, transporting scrap metal in the course of business or with a view to profit and failing to produce copies of the records of all controlled waste transferred when requested to do so.

The 33-year-old’s vehicle was fully loaded with scrap items when it was stopped by officers from Durham Constabulary on January 6 this year in Pelton.

A Durham County Council neighbourhood warden attended the scene and after Adams confirmed he did not have a scrap metal licence or authority to transport waste, he was requested to provide his licence and any receipts for the waste collection for the period between November 1 and January 6 within seven days.

After failing to respond, Adams was invited to make an appointment to be interviewed regarding the potential offences, and two further letters were sent on February 15 and 22. None of the letters ever received a response.

The court also heard that Adams has a previous conviction for collecting waste and scrap metal without a licence in 2015, for which he had been ordered to pay £370.

Appearing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court, Adams stated he had returned to collecting as he was in financial hardship and that he has been trying to start afresh.

He was fined £320 and also ordered to pay costs of £483.50 and a victim surcharge of £32 – a total of £835.50.