If insurance for the van has been paid and it has been driven anywhere where ANPR cameras operate, it's likely a large fine and licence points are on the way anyway and they just haven't caught up with him yet. In 10 months of use, it's surprising he hasn't been picked up by the police at some point, unless he's only used in in very remote rural areas.
Any reputable scrap yard will refuse the van without a V5, though there may be some dodgy ones still about who might do a 'no questions asked' disposal (but don't expect any money!) if he wants to get rid and hope nothing else happens.
The other option would be to dismantle it himself, and sell anything usable of it as parts, cut up the chassis/panels/engine block and dispose of as general scrap. However doing either of these will only result in higher fines when the authorities do eventually catch up with him, which they most likely will.
If he just comes clean now, keeps it off the road, declares it SORN and sends in the buyers slip now he may just get away with the "failing to register in time" fine, which is likely to be lower than the 'using illegally' fines.
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