A Shrewsbury busker has been ordered to pay more than £6400 after being convicted of illegally trading and distributing flyers in Shrewsbury town centre without a licence.

Jason Allan was previously convicted of the offence on June 10, however applied to re-open the proceedings on that basis that he was unaware of on-going proceedings due to a change of address.

The court re-opened the proceedings  at Telford Magistrates Court after dismissing the previous conviction and a re-hearing took place on August 19.

Allan attended the hearing and pleaded guilty to both offences. The court was also told about Shropshire Council’s long history of engagement and advice with the defendant which had been ignored and continuing to carry out his activities despite the council’s advice.

The court took into account Allan's guilty plea and reduced the maximum penalty of £2,500 to a fine of £1,653.00.

Allan must pay a total amount of £6,486 after the court ordered him to pay a victim’s surcharge of £653.00 and a contribution towards the prosecution of costs of £4,200.00.