A Ribbleton man has been sentenced to four months in prison and community service for selling scrap metal without a licence.
Daniel O’Donnell of 6 Bowland Place appeared at Preston Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to three offences.
He also pleaded guilty of burning waste in a manner likely to cause pollution to the environment.
Preston City Council had carried out a number of investigations into DD Removals, the firm operated by O’Donnell.
Environmental health officers had attended the home of O’Donnell a number of times after reports he was burning waste in the garden.
In early February they attended and found a lit bonfire burning along with evidence of large scale burning of waste.
His sentence includes 200 hours of community service and £550 of prosecution costs.
Cabinet member for planning and regulation, Councillor John Swindells, said: “This sentencing should act as a strong message about Preston City Council’s zero tolerance on this type of behaviour.
“Our enforcement teams are highly skilled and will work hard to deter those businesses willing to skirt around the laws and put the environment at risk.”
Incident Intelligence Officer for Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service, Steve Green, said: “From the Fire Service perspective, the burning of commercial waste is unacceptable as apart from the environmental hazard, the inconvenience to local residents and the danger of fire spreading, it also results in fire engines being committed to fires that are totally unnecessary and which have been lit without any thought to others. Local fire crews will continue to work with Preston City Council to stop this illegal, hazardous and inconsiderate practice.”