A scrap metal dealer convicted of attempting to handle stolen goods has had his bid for a new licence rejected.

Kirklees councillors refused to renew the licence for Barry K Ellis Ltd on the basis its sole director Paul Ellis has served a prison sentence relating to buying suspected stolen scrap metal.

Ellis, of the Albert Haigh scrap yard on Firth Street, Huddersfield, has 21 days to appeal.

Pc Richard Farrand, a police licensing officer, said: “We want to get the message across to all Kirklees scrap metal dealers that taking and handling stolen metal is not only unacceptable, but it also puts your licence in jeopardy as well.”

Paul Ellis was jailed for 14 months last September after buying what he believed to be stolen cable in an undercover police sting on nine occasions.

Ellis pleaded guilty to attempting to handle stolen goods between June and August last year but appealed his sentence, which was upheld at the Appeal Court in London last December.

After being released from his prison sentence early, Ellis re-applied to Kirklees Council for a scrap metal dealer’s licence which was refused by members of the Kirklees Council Regulatory Panel on Monday.

During the meeting, which was held behind closed doors, West Yorkshire Police lodged a formal objection.

Pc Farrand said the criteria of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 meant the licence holder has to be a ‘suitable person’ and due to Ellis’ relevant conviction he did not meet the criteria.

He said: “He is the only director of the company and he has received a custodial sentence for a relevant offence under the act.”

He added that the panel, in rejecting the licence bid, would send a strong message that such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated in Kirklees.

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