20-Jul-2006
- A Barnsley scrap metal dealer has been fined
£1,000 today (20 July) after he was caught
transporting controlled waste without a licence
during an Environment Agency crack-down.
Horace Price, aged 37, of Smithies
Caravan Park, Barnsley did not attend court and
magistrates found him guilty in his absence of
the offence, which happened on September 28, 2005.
He was also ordered to pay £289.24 court
costs.
Barnsley magistrates heard how
the Environment Agency’s Barnsley team had an
environmental crime action day to raise awareness
of environmental crime.
Trevor Cooper, prosecuting,
said that as part of the day officers stopped
vehicles to check for unlicensed waste carriers.
He told the court that the team
stopped a Ford Transit tipper van as it was driving
into a scrap metal yard in Brierley Road, Shafton,
Barnsley.
The vehicle, driven by Price,
was loaded with mixed scrap waste metal and white
goods including washing machines.
Mr Cooper said that the defendant
stated he was a scrap metal dealer but admitted
that he was not registered as a waste carrier
and said that he was unaware that he needed to
be.
After the case, an Environment
Agency spokesperson said: "It would have
only cost Mr Price £136 to register as a
waste carrier but his negligence means that he
will be forced to pay out much more in a fine.
Waste offences are viewed as extremely serious
by the magistrates and Mr Price’s fine reflects
that."
Notes to editors
Price was charged with:
In the district of Barnsley
on 28th September 2005 did transport controlled
waste, namely scrap metals as part of your business
or otherwise for profit when not registered as
a carrier of controlled waste. Contrary to Sections
1 (1) and 1(5) of the Control of Pollution (Amendment)
Act 1989.
It is an offence for anyone
who isn’t a registered waste carrier to transport
waste as part of their business or otherwise,
with the view to profit by it. The purpose of
the legislation is to help prevent flytipping
and all waste producers and businesses are obliged
to use a registered waste carrier for the transport
and disposal of their waste.
The Environment Agency can register
someone as a carrier of waste and the cost is
currently £136 for three years.
Francesca Glyn-Jones
