A scrap dealer has been left with a court bill of more than £300 after being stopped by police in South Oxhey.

Hertfordshire Constabulary pulled over Constatin Pislea, of North London, on December 6 and found that he was trading without the necessary licence.

Pislea pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates' Court on March 14 and was fined £300 for operating without a licence and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £35 and costs of £85.

Police constable Sarah Calcutt, from the Oxhey Safer Neighbourhood team, said: "This is one of the first times that we have used the new Act to prosecute someone in the county and it will no doubt prove to be an effective deterrent.

"Metal theft is a serious crime that can affect individuals and businesses alike and we are determined to make it crime not worth committing."