A BUSINESSMAN has launched a scathing attack on Colchester Council after the authority prosecuted him for not being able to prove how his trade waste is disposed.

Tony Cole said his administration office, based in St Botolph’s Street, Colchester, creates half a black sack of waste on the three days a week it is open.

He said each Friday he usually throws it into a skip, shared by a number of cafes and a noodle bar, and did not see the need to have a company come and take away such a small amount of waste.

But he accepts when council officers turned up at the three-person office asking for a trade waste certificate, he was not able to produce one.

As a result he was given a £300 fine, which has gone unpaid.

Colchester Council is now prosecuting the businessman, who is the former owner of the failed fine dining Number Nine restaurant, in North Hill, in Colchester.

Mr Cole said: “I am not joking, my office creates about half a bag of shredded paper each week.

“When they came, I wrote to them saying I had no idea I needed one and explained I put my waste in a skip shared by some other businesses in St Botolph’s.”

He added: “I’m sure Colchester Council has spent thousands of pounds faffing about about half a bag of shredded paper and surely there are more important things. It’s Orwellian.”

The businessman said he has already pleaded guilty to the charge by letter and expects a sizeable fine when a court hearing takes place in January.

A Colchester Council spokeswoman said: “This prosecution relates to the duty of care around trade waste.

“Mr Cole did not produce a certificate to show he had someone official to take away his trade rubbish so got a fixed penalty notice.

“He has failed to pay this so we are prosecuting.”

The notice relates to the week of June 4 to June 11 this year.