A Lichfield man has been ordered to pay almost £700 after advertising his business over a loudspeaker.
Scrap metal collector Philip Hunt, of Sandford Meadow, was found guilty of allowing the sounding of a loudspeaker to advertise his business in the streets of Lichfield – which is an offence under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 – at Stafford Magistrates’ Court on December 18.
Lichfield District Council had warned Hunt in December 2011 that the sounding of a loudspeaker in the street to advertise his trade as a scrap metal collector was an offence, but in May 2013 a vehicle registered to him was seen using a loud speaker.
He failed to to attend court and the case was heard in his absence. He was found guilty and ordered to pay a £200 fine, £475.73 costs and a victim surcharge of £20 – a total of £695.73.
Councillor Colin Greatorex said: “We get numerous complaints by residents about the disturbance caused by scrap metal collectors advertising their businesses over loudspeakers.
“It is therefore good news that the court found in our favour and I hope it will act as a warning to anyone else in the trade that uses loudspeakers.”
