Fine for scrap metal dealer’s overload near Inverness
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A sheriff wanted to know how much a van load of scrap metal would fetch when a scrap dealer appeared before her.
But Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald wasn't interested in buying any, she wanted to know the value to help her estimate the appropriate fine for 51 year old Shane Armstrong for having 46 per cent more in his van than he should have.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Armstrong, of Kirk Road, Wishaw, had been in Orkney picking up his load and was on his way back south.
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Police stopped his vehicle on March 21, 2023 when he passed the weighbridge near the Kessock Bridge without stopping.
Fiscal depute Shay Treanor told the court that the weight was 5120kg, almost half as much again as the permitted weight.
Defence solicitor David Patterson said: "The weighbridge was closed in Orkney."
The sheriff said: "Ask him what a van load of metal was worth."
Mr Patterson duly obliged and replied: "He tells me there was around £1000 worth in the van that day."
Fining Armstrong, who admitted having too heavy a load, £560 the sheriff said: "If you take any more chances like this, then you will eventually lose your licence."
