A scrap metal trader in Swindon has been sentenced for operating without a license and violating waste disposal regulations.
Swindon Scrap Metal Rogue Trader Fined Over Three Thousand Pounds
A scrap metal trader in Swindon has been sentenced for operating without a license and violating waste disposal regulations.
Swindon, Scrap Metal Dealer, Unlicensed Trading, Wiltshire Council, Environment Agency, Pewsey, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Mark Tapp lived on Gable Close, Abbey Meads in Swindon. He was found guilty of running a scrap metal business. He did not have the required license to operate it legally.
A hearing took place on February 14th at Swindon Magistrates Court. The court ordered Tapp to pay £3,030 in fines and related costs.
Last May, a police officer saw Tapp collecting scrap. He collected it from homes in Swindon.
He drove a white Ford Transit Tipper while towing a trailer. Both vehicles were full of scrap metal materials. The materials included appliances and metal frames,.
Tapp claimed he worked for Wiltshire Junk Busters. He said he took scrap to dealers in Swindon and Pewsey.
Wiltshire Junk Busters offered free rubbish collection back then. They also offered cash for scrap metal.
The Wiltshire Council got a report about a man with a loudspeaker. He was seeking scrap around Pewsey from his vehicle. Witnesses helped trace this back to Tapp’s truck.
A law made collecting scrap for cash illegal in 2013. This was under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act.
Anyone carrying waste must register with the Environment Agency. This is according to pollution and waste regulations.
Neither Tapp nor Junk Busters had the right license. They needed it to carry waste or trade scrap in Wiltshire.
Officers found transaction records between Tapp and metal dealers. They later used these records as evidence against him.
The council wants to stop illegal traders in Wiltshire now. These traders take work from real businesses. They also risk residents getting fines.
The council thanked the police. They cooperated and brought Tapp to justice. A crucial witness gave vital evidence.
The council started a campaign to teach proper waste disposal. People should check waste carrier details. They can avoid fines by doing this.
The council takes unlicensed waste collection very seriously. They stated that they will prosecute offenders.
On February 14th, a hearing at Swindon Magistrates Court resulted in Tapp being ordered to pay £3,030 in fines and related costs.
Last May, a police officer witnessed Tapp collecting scrap from homes in Swindon. He was driving a white Ford Transit Tipper while towing a trailer.
Both vehicles were full of scrap metal materials, including appliances and metal frames. Tapp claimed he worked for Wiltshire Junk Busters and took scrap to dealers in Swindon and Pewsey.
Back then, Wiltshire Junk Busters offered free rubbish collection and cash for scrap metal. The Wiltshire Council received a report about a man with a loudspeaker seeking scrap around Pewsey from his vehicle; witnesses traced this back to Tapp’s truck.
Collecting scrap for cash became illegal in 2013 under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act. Pollution and waste regulations also require anyone carrying waste to register with the Environment Agency.
Neither Tapp nor Junk Busters possessed the necessary license to carry waste or trade scrap in Wiltshire. Officers discovered transaction records between Tapp and metal dealers, which were later used as evidence against him.
The council aims to stop illegal traders in Wiltshire, who take work from legitimate businesses and expose residents to potential fines. The council expressed gratitude to the police for their cooperation in bringing Tapp to justice, also thanking a crucial witness for providing vital evidence.
The council has initiated a campaign to educate people about proper waste disposal. They advise residents to verify waste carrier details to avoid fines. The council emphasizes that unlicensed waste collection is taken seriously, and offenders will be prosecuted.