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EditorSwansea man handed record penalty for transporting waste without licence
Leon Medlam, of Long View Road, Clase, Swansea, was fined £1,760 and ordered to pay £4,500 in costs, £150 in compensation, and a £704 victim surcharge — totalling £7,114.
The case was heard at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 10 October 2025. Medlam did not attend and was found guilty in his absence.
Joint operation in Llanelli
The prosecution followed a joint day of action on 2 April 2025 in Bynea, Llanelli, where Natural Resources Wales (NRW) worked alongside Dyfed‑Powys Police, Carmarthenshire County Council, and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
The operation targeted vehicles carrying waste to ensure they were properly licensed, helping to prevent illegal dumping and protect the environment.
Medlam was stopped while transporting scrap metal and other controlled waste without a valid licence. He was cautioned and given 10 working days to register with NRW, but despite repeated follow‑ups he failed to comply.
Scrap metal piled high in the rear of Leon Medlam’s Transit tipper truck, which was stopped during the waste crime crackdown.(Image: Natural Resources Wales)“Clear message” on waste crime
Huwel Manley, NRW’s Head of Operations for South West Wales, said the record penalty underlined the seriousness of waste crime.
“This enforcement outcome sends a clear message: if you transport waste without a valid licence, you will be held accountable. Illegal waste activity harms our environment, undermines responsible businesses, and erodes public trust. Natural Resources Wales will continue to work with partners to crack down on waste crime and protect communities across Wales.”
NRW praised the strong partnership working that made the enforcement possible and reaffirmed its commitment to tackling waste crime.
“These joint operations help protect communities and the environment, while supporting legitimate businesses that follow the rules,” Mr Manley added.
Legal responsibilities
Under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989, businesses that regularly transport waste must be registered as waste carriers. Even if waste is moved infrequently, if it is part of a business’s usual activity, a licence is legally required.
NRW stressed that registering as a waste carrier is a quick and simple process, and holding a valid licence ensures waste is taken to authorised disposal or recycling facilities rather than being fly‑tipped.
Members of the public are also legally required to check that anyone they pay to dispose of waste holds a valid licence. If illegally dumped waste is traced back to its source, the individual who arranged the disposal may also face prosecution and a fine.
#bynea #carmarthenshireCouncil #carmarthenshireCountyCouncil #clase #driverAndVehicleStandardsAgency #dvsa #dyfedPowysPolice #featured #licensedWasteCarrier #longViewRoad #naturalResourcesWales #nrw #recycling #scrap #scrapMetal #swansea #unlicensedWasteCarrier #wasteCarrier
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