An ice cream vendor has been ordered to pay £630 for selling from his van without a permit - after a vigilant headteacher reported him to Bolton Council.
Hassan Ali was spotted in his van outside Bolton School’s gates and headteacher Sue Hincks contacted the local authority.
Bolton magistrates heard that Ali, 46 years old, had been refused a street trading licence in 2016.
But the council’s licensing department received information last year that Ali was still selling ice cream at summer fairs and events.
The team shared Ali’s vehicle details with schools across the borough. And on May 26, 2017, staff at Bolton School noticed an ice cream van trading outside Kidzone childcare centre on Dobson Road.
Miss Hincks noted that the vehicle registration of the van matched the one circulated by licensing and went to speak to the driver. As she approached the van, two girls were coming away from the vehicle eating ice creams.
She asked to see Ali’s licence but he drove off and she later reported the incident to the licensing unit.
Ali was sent a letter under caution and he later admitted trading on Dobson Street without a valid street trading consent.
Ali, of Netherfield Road, pleaded guilty to an offence of trading without having the required street trading consent in place.
He was fined £145, and ordered to pay £462 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “Our street trading laws are there to protect people. We are not here to persecute businesses operating legitimately. However, if someone trades without the necessary consent we will take action.
“In this case Mr Ali was not granted a licence, and he thought he could get away with it. He didn’t bank on our licensing team circulating his details and we are very grateful to Bolton School for being vigilant and taking action so swiftly.
“This result should send a message to other street traders that we will crack down on behaviour like this.”
The public can report any concerns or issues with street traders to licensing.unit@bolton.gov.uk.