A Romford man has been fined over £2,000 after he was caught illegally trading in Barking.

During a routine patrol on 22 December 2023, Environmental Enforcement Officers from Barking and Dagenham Council came across a large commercial coach and two further vans filled with parcels.

Further inspection showed that there was a makeshift table with papers and two mobile phones and a large industrial type weighing scale.

The officers approached a man, Mr Theodor Gutu, who was standing next to the table – he explained that he was delivering parcels to people from his country who now live in England.

Mr Gutu, of Straight Road, Romford, admitted that he was being paid for his service and that he didn’t have a Street Trading Licence. Therefore, he was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £150.

However, Mr Gutu refused to pay the fine and was summoned to Barkingside Magistrates Court on 13 August 2024.

In his absence, he was found guilty and ordered to pay a fine of £1,000, Costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £737 and a Victim Surcharge of £400.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We are committed to ensuring that all street trading activities in the borough are conducted legally and fairly. This incident is a reminder that unlicensed trading not only undermines legitimate businesses but also unregulated commercial activities pose potential risks to the community. 

“We urge all traders to comply with the necessary regulations to avoid similar consequences.”