ICE-cream seller Omar Hamadouche got a cool reception when he arrived in St Albans. For he hadn t applied for consent to trade in the district and the episode cost him almost £1,000 this week. Jeff Smyth, the district council s markets and street trading

ICE-cream seller Omar Hamadouche got a cool reception when he arrived in St Albans.

For he hadn't applied for consent to trade in the district and the episode cost him almost £1,000 this week.

Jeff Smyth, the district council's markets and street trading officer, caught Hamadouche, of Watford, selling ice creams in Townsend Avenue last autumn.

Magistrates fined Hamadouche £350 and ordered him to pay £605 in costs for trading illegally. They also warned him he could have been fined £1,000 if he had not entered an early guilty plea and co-operated.

Mr Smyth said afterwards: "It is important that those selling food to the public are regulated to ensure it is done safely. Had Mr Hamadouche obtained consent it would have only cost him £250."

"Anyone considering trading in the St Albans area should get an application pack from myself or the council website," he added.