Council prosecutes two scrap metal dealers

Published on Tuesday, 3rd July 2012

Two men are fined for failing to provide duty of care documentation

On 4 November 2011, Nicholas Simkiss' vehicle was pulled over by the police at A5 Wall Island, as part of a joint operation with Lichfield District Council to tackle rogue scrap dealers.

Mr Simkiss, a scrap dealer, had no documentation on him at the time so officers served a notice requiring him to produce it within seven days. The council decided to prosecute, after Mr Simkiss did not provide the information, failed to pay the £300 fixed penalty notice, and finally did not attend an interview regarding the offence.

On 20 June 2012 at Stafford Magistrates' Court, Lichfield District Council successfully prosecuted Nicholas Simkiss, of Signal Grove in Bloxwich, for failing to provide his duty of care documentation.

He pleaded guilty and was fined £300, ordered to pay court costs of £495.58, plus a victim surcharge of £15. A total of £810.58.

On 20 June 2012 at Stafford Magistrates' Court, Lichfield District Council also successfully prosecuted scrap dealer James Birkett, of Dartford Road in Bloxwich, for failing to provide duty of care documentation.

Mr Birkett, a scrap dealer, was also stopped as part of the 4 November 2011 operation at Wall Island. He also failed to provide the necessary documentation, pay the resulting fine, and did not attend the arranged interview. He pleaded guilty and was fined £300, ordered to pay court costs of £481.74 plus a victim surcharge of £15. A total of £796.74.

Councillor Ian Pritchard, Lichfield District Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Environmental Protection, said: "In response to residents' complaints, the council carries out routine stop and searches with the police to combat rogue scrap dealers and would-be fly-tippers who think it is acceptable to dump rubbish within the district.

"I am pleased the courts took the offences seriously and hope it sends out a clear message that waste must be disposed of at licensed sites. We will continue to periodically stop vehicles travelling on local roads to make sure they can prove their duty of care."

Anyone can report fly-tipping within the district online at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/reportit or call Lichfield District Council on 01543 308999.