A MAN caught transporting a large quantity of scrap metal through Rugby without a licence has been fined £950. James Eagle was driving his vehicle on Dunchurch Road on 26 May when he was stopped by officers from Warwickshire Police and Rugby Borough Council.
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His vehicle was loaded with a large amount of scrap metal, but when asked to produce his waste carrier licence, Eagle instead produced a letter which claimed his brother had a licence.
He was issued with a £300 fixed penalty notice at the scene for failing to produce a licence, and was later sent a letter requesting copies of the waste transfer notes required to transport the metal.
When Eagle failed to respond to the request, he was issued with a further £300 fixed penalty notice for failing to produce the transfer notes.
But when Eagle failed to pay both notices, he was taken to court.
The 30-year-old, of Green Rock Lane, Walsall, appeared at Nuneaton Magistrates Court on Monday 28 October, where he pleaded guilty to failing to produce a waste carrier licence and failing to produce waste transfer notes.
He was fined a total of £950 and ordered to pay £275 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
Eagle was stopped as part of Operation Tornado, a joint police and council operation to crack down on scrap metal crime.
Speaking after the case, Cllr Dr Mark Williams, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for sustainable environment, said: “The council has committed to working with the police to make sure scrap metal dealers stick by the letter of the law.
“The government has recently tightened the regulations surrounding the scrap metal trade, and dealers can rest assured we intend to enforce the new rules.
“The hefty fine in this case shows the courts share our determination to send a clear message to the scrap metal trade.”
PC Henri Duffield-Smith, of Warwickshire Police, said: “We’re committed to the robust enforcement of scrap metal offences under Operation Tornado.
“This case shows partnership working – using the combined powers of the police and the council – can bring tremendous results.”
