24 April 2012
A Caerphilly county borough man has been taken to court for failing to produce the correct documentation during a multi-agency stop check scrap metal operation – the second successful prosecution for an offence of this nature in the space of a week.
Ashley Flew, of Heol Cae Bach, Caerphilly was initially issued with a fixed penalty notice for failing to produce the correct documentation when Environmental Health Enforcement Officers requested information on where the waste he was carrying had come from and where it was being disposed of.
However, through non-payment of the fixed penalty notice, the case was pursued through the courts.
The case was heard on Thursday 19th April at Caerphilly Magistrates Court. Flew pleaded guilty to the offence under Section 34 (5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs together with a £15 victim surcharge.
Rob Hartshorn, Head of Public Protection at Caerphilly County Borough Council said, "This second successful prosecution for an offence of this nature in the space of a week, I hope will send out a clear message to those who do not operate their business in a legal manner that this will not be tolerated".
He continued, "We have evidence that some unscrupulous traders sell on the metal, but fly tip the other wastes. Our Enforcement team will continue to work tirelessly with our colleagues at Gwent Police to tackle this issue".
One of the ways that residents can help in the fight against fly-tipping is to ask where their waste is going – if it is found dumped, residents could be fined.
Residents who give their waste to someone else must use a waste carrier whose business is registered with Environment Agency Wales. Ask the carrier to show proof that they are registered to carry waste and they must provide you with written confirmation of where the waste is going to be disposed of.
Caerphilly County Borough Council is also working alongside Gwent Police on a scheme called 'No ID, No Cash', where scrap yards are only accepting scrap from registered collectors with photo-identification.
The council's Licensing Section are producing photo ID cards free of charge for metal collectors.
To apply for a photo ID card, please call 01495 235 039.
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