A MAN who failed to appear in court has been fined for illegally dealing scrap metal.

Ian Parker, 33, of Bryant Avenue, Latchford, was seen driving a vehicle carrying a large quantity of scrap metal in April.

According to Warrington Borough Council, when questioned, Parker denied that he was collecting scrap metal and stated that he was borrowing the vehicle.

Upon further investigation of the vehicle, a number of invoices were recovered showing he had been weighing-in metal at a site in Widnes over the course of April.

To operate as a scrap metal dealer, people must apply for a licence from the council.

As a result, Parker was summonsed to appear at Warrington Magistrates' Court on October 24 to answer a charge of operating as a scrap metal dealer without a licence.

He failed to attend and was found guilty in his absence.

He was fined £660 for the offence and ordered to pay a contribution to costs of £1202.50 and a victim surcharge of £66.

Cllr Judith Guthrie, Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for environment and public protection, said: "There are strict laws and regulations around the collection and disposal of scrap metal.

"This man’s actions undermine legitimate scrap metal collectors operating within Warrington.

"Collecting scrap metal without a licence is unacceptable and as I hope this case shows that the council will not tolerate this kind of blatant disregard for the law."