Two unlicensed scrap metal collectors operating in Carmarthenshire have been ordered to pay over £2,000 each by the courts.
Mark David Bennett and Sally Heritage of Cwm Cottage, Cwm Farm in Ferryside, admitted pocketing £6,600 when their case was heard at Llanelli Magistrates Court recently.
In a prosecution led by the Carmarthenshire County Council, the court heard the pair were regularly collecting, storing and selling scrap over a five-month period despite having no licence to do so and ignoring warnings from the local authority.
From May to October 2021 the pair received 12 payments totalling £6,605 from AJT scrap merchants in Swansea where they were selling their scrap.
Both Bennett and Heritage would regularly use Facebook to promote their services and find customers.
Anyone trading in or collecting scrap metal in Carmarthenshire must have a scrap metal licence which costs around £260 and lasts for three years.
The pair who were absent from court but pleaded guilty were each fined £1,675, told to pay £267 costs each and £167 victim surcharge.
Carmarthenshire County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Cllr Philip Hughes, said: “This couple made a lot of money operating illegally and thought they were above the law by ignoring warnings from us. There are many scrap dealers in the county who follow the rules by getting licensed and there is no exception for anyone. Licenses are there for a reason and that is to protect everyone, and I would urge anyone to check a carrier has a licence before anything is removed from their property.”
Licensed scrap collectors have to carry a badge showing their licence number and identification.
Carmarthenshire Council say if you know of anyone trading in scrap metal without a licence, contact the Environmental Protection Team by email on publicprotection@carmarthenshire.gov.uk. Any reports received will remain anonymous.
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