A STREET trader has been taken to court for trading without consent outside Witham Train Station.

Shamik Rao, from Glebefield Road in Hatfield Peverel, was found guilty on all four accounts after Braintree Council took him to court for trading in Albert Road.

The magistrate fined him £200 per offence and awarded Braintree Council £2,500 in costs.

There was also a £20 victim surcharge.

He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Monday, May 23.

Wendy Schmitt, cabinet member for Environment, said: “Street traders need street trading consent from district councils because it allows us to make sure they are complying with the street trading laws.

"It also allows us to apply restrictions if needed to make sure trading is appropriate in regards to safety, nuisance, location and to make sure that other local businesses in the area are not disadvantaged.”