Man ordered to pay almost £1,500 for illegally trading on Regent Road in Great Yarmouth

Martin Lee, 40, of Heath Close in Norwich, prompted numerous complaints from legitimate traders and businesses after repeatedly setting up a stall outside the former Regent Theatre.

After being warned by council officers that he was breaking the law, Lee continued to trade from the same spot through the summer holidays last year.

As a result, Great Yarmouth Borough Council brought a prosecution against him and Lee appeared before Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on March 18 where he admitted four charges of street trading in a prohibited area under the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1982.

The charges related to last summer on June 22, July 31, August 21 and August 28. He was fined a total of £700 for the offences, ordered to pay costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £280.

Sentencing him, magistrates told Lee the offences were aggravated by his refusal to accept advice and his flagrant disregard to comply.

A spokesperson for Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: ''Despite being advised he was breaking the law, the defendant continued to return to set up an illegal stall on Regent Road.

''We received numerous complaints from other businesses and we hope this conviction and substantial fine and costs sends out a clear warning to others who might consider abusing the law. Laws which are in place to protect other traders and consumers.''