The following press release is from Herefordehire Council.
Herefordshire Council has secured convictions and Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) against seven individuals following an investigation into illegal scrap-metal activity linked to Romany Close, Hereford.
At Hereford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 28 October 2025, the court heard that Alan Davis (32), David Smith (22), Harry Butler (34), Harry Smith (29), James Fallows Senior (51), James Fallows Junior (26) and Jimmy Butler (35) (all of Romany Close, Hereford) unlawfully carried and dealt in scrap metal during a two-year period between 2023 and 2025, with scrapyard payment records showing combined receipts of £538,907.43. An eighth individual, Susie Butler (37) of the same address, admitted a single obstruction offence.
The investigation began after Herefordshire Council’s Community Protection Team identified substantial fly-tipped waste to the rear of Romany Close in November 2024, including tyre fragments and stripped-metal waste. Scrap-yard checks linked regular, high-value deposits to the seven men.
Further checks confirmed that none of the seven held a scrap-metal dealer licence (as required by the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013); only one held a waste-carrier registration; and none could produce waste transfer documentation evidencing the origin of the metals.
All seven also obstructed the investigation by failing to provide information when required. Susie Butler was convicted of a single obstruction offence for failing to provide information to officers.
At court, the Magistrates imposed fines and costs of £6,100 on each of the seven (a total of £42,700) and £700 on the eighth, bringing overall financial penalties to £43,400.
During sentencing, the lead magistrate described the sums involved as “glittering amounts of money,” noting the Bench’s first instinct was to impose penalties of £10,000 each, before applying guideline adjustments and the one-third reduction for early guilty pleas. The court made clear there would be no remissions in view of the “amazing amounts of money involved.”
The court also granted three-year CBOs against the seven men, including conditions that prohibit: engaging in or promoting unlicensed scrap-metal or waste-collection business; possessing unlawfully sourced scrap or waste; receiving remuneration for licensable activities without the correct licence; storing scrap metal in the open air at Romany Close or Watery Lane, Hereford; vehicle breaking within Romany Close or Watery Lane; and placing vehicles that obstruct the public highway at those locations.
Cllr Barry Durkin, Cabinet Member for Roads and Regulatory Services said:
“This isn’t just about waste – it’s about law, order and respect for our communities. The scale of this operation shows a blatant disregard for both the environment and the rules that protect it. These convictions send a strong message: Herefordshire will not be a safe haven for illegal operators. I am grateful to the Council officers and their diligent investigation that helped to bring this case before the court. These convictions begun with an investigation into fly-tipping, which shows the importance of communities reporting incidences so we can follow them up. It is always good to be vigilant about fly-tipping and to report incidents to help keep communities safe from environmental harm”
Charles Yarnold, Head of Regulatory and Technical Services at Herefordshire Council, said:
“Illegal waste and unlicensed scrap activity cause environmental harm, undercut legitimate businesses and leave communities to deal with the consequences. This outcome shows that if you trade outside the law, we will investigate and the courts will impose meaningful sanctions.”
Anyone who carries out business as a scrap metal dealer without a licence may be liable on conviction to maximum fine of £5,000. Herefordshire Council’s Community Protection Team will investigate illegal scrap metal activity which is reported by calling 01432 261761
