Unlicensed scrap metal trader fined in court

A Whitstable man who was running a business as a scrap metal dealer in Canterbury district when not authorised to do so has been found guilty of the offence and fined a total of £760.

James Smith, 28, of Norman Road, failed to attend Margate Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 12 June and was found guilty in his absence.

The court heard Mr Smith was stopped at the roadside in September 2024 by officers from the Kent Police Rural Task Force and Environmental Crime Officers from Canterbury City Council.

His vehicle was full of scrap metal (pictured) but he did not have a licence to transport scrap under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

Mr Smith was advised of the need to apply for this licence, but he failed to do so and no response was received from him.

The council took the matter to court, and Under Section 1 of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, Mr Smith was fined £400, with a £160 surcharge and £200 in council costs, adding up to a total fine of £760 to be paid in full within 28 days.

Published: 18 June 2025