TWO scrap metal collectors have been fined hundreds of pounds in a prosecution by City of York Council.

Alan Howard Cook, 71, of Strensall Road, York, was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £463 by York Magistrates’ Court, after admitting not displaying his scrap metal dealer’s licence or providing documentation on where he gets and disposes of his metal.

Michael Price, 47, of Water Lane, York, was ordered to pay a £120 fine, a £30 statutory surcharge and £350 prosecution costs after pleading guilty to the same offences.

York Press:

During a joint operation on June 3 last year, North Yorkshire Police and the council stopped Cook in his flat bed lorry on the A1237, and found numerous bikes and a broken washing machine. He repeatedly failed to produce documentation after numerous reminders and letters from the council.

Price was stopped in a purple flatbed lorry on the A1237 on the same date, and neighbourhood enforcement officers found scrap metal including scaffolding, metal pipes, metal chair legs and a metal trolley in his vehicle.

Price failed to produce his scrap metal collector’s licence, his waste carrier’s licence and documents demonstrating where the scrap metal had come from. Further investigations found Price had been selling scrap metal for at least one month without licenses.

Cllr Sam Lisle, the city council's executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods, said: “If not handled and transported correctly waste materials can pose a risk to the environment. Any business or individual which collects waste is required to hold a waste carrier’s licence and has a legal duty to dispose of that waste correctly.”