Man fined for illegally operating a scrap metal yard

A man has been ordered to pay a total of £1,514 after pleading guilty to illegally operating a scrap metal yard. It comes after an investigation by Ryedale District Council.

Tyler Mansfield appeared in court charged with a Section 1 offence under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, operating as a scrap metal dealer without a licence.

He was ordered to pay a fine of £307 plus £1,200 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

The Council was contacted in July 2021 by citizens concerned about a potential unlicensed, illegal scrap yard operating at a location on St Hilda’s Street in Sherburn, Malton.

A visit conducted by the authority’s community enforcement team and the Environment Agency found this to be the case and a subsequent investigation by the Council into the operation and associated activities of Mansfield lead to the court appearance.

The prosecution was a first for Ryedale District Council for this offence.

Community Enforcement Officers were employed by Ryedale District Council in 2020 which has enabled the authority to take a proactive approach when dealing with issues in the community.

Margaret Wallace, Director for People and Resources at Ryedale District Council, said: “This is a result of hard work from our community enforcement officers and highlights that running unlicensed scrap metal operations is taken seriously by both Ryedale District Council and the courts and we will investigate and prosecute where necessary.

“The Scrap Metal Dealers Act, 2013 is very clear on the requirements, including obtaining licences, which should be met if someone wants to dismantle, collect and store scrap.

“Ryedale District Council would encourage anyone that currently runs, or wishes to run a business involved with dealing in any scrap metals, to ensure they are meeting all legal requirements to prevent unnecessary breaches, potential future investigations and court appearances.”

Members of the public should check any person or business that they have arranged to collect scrap or waste from them is licensed to do so and where they are uncertain are encouraged to check the publicly available registers online at https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-scrap-metal-dealers or by phoning Ryedale District Council on 01653 600 666.