An illegal waste carrier has been order to pay £437 by Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court following a joint operation by Sevenoaks council and Kent Police.

Robert Collins, 59, of Lionel Road, Erith, pleaded guilty to transporting waste without a transfer notice at the court hearing last Wednesday.

Collins was stopped at the Co-Op petrol station in Swanley by Sevenoaks District Council and the police more than two years ago on October 31, 2018. They found a large pile of waste, consisting mainly of old fire extinguishers, in the back of his van.

Collins admitted he did not have a waste carrier’s licence or a transfer note and was cautioned and handed an on-the-spot fine by the council.

However, Collins did not pay the fine and was later summoned to attend Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on June 7, 2019, when he failed to appear.

The council persisted and when Collins was eventually brought to court last week, he pleaded guilty.

Collins, who is currently unemployed, was ordered to pay a £320 fine, £85 in costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

The council’s cabinet member for cleaner and greener, Cllr Margot McArthur, said: “Our dedicated fly-tipping investigation team work on a number of fronts to protect our district, including preventative operations such as this.

“Although it may be tempting to hire a cheap waste removal contractor, it is the responsibility of businesses and residents to check that the collector has a waste carrier’s license.

"Failing to do so could result in the rubbish being fly-tipped.”

To check if a removal service has a license, call the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506 and ask for a free instant Waste Carrier Validation Check.

Alternatively it is possible to check online.

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