Cheshire East Council’s trading standards service has secured a prosecution and heavy fine for a company director who threatened an elderly couple after they refused to pay £9,000 in cash for a new driveway.
Staffordshire businessman Steve Brown (50), of Wincote Lane, Wootton, Eccleshall, was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £11,900, plus £1,000 to the couple for their distress. His company – I Trust Homes UK Ltd, Barlaston – was fined £1,000 when Brown appeared at Manchester Crown Court for sentence on February 11.
Brown and his company were found guilty at an earlier hearing, of applying aggressive commercial practices, including a threatening voicemail to dig up the driveway, and for visiting the couple in person at their home in Poynton, after being told by Cheshire East trading standards not to make contact with them.
After completion of the work a company employee asked for cash and offered to take the elderly woman to a bank to withdraw the money. She refused the offer but notified the bank of her need to withdraw the sum.
Cheshire East trading standards became involved after the bank became suspicious and put a stop on any large withdrawal from the account. Trading standards stepped in on behalf of the couple. When Brown visited the couple, a member of the trading standards team was present at their home.
Brown was told by the judge his actions amounted to aggressive trading practice and to threaten the couple was a serious matter.
Cllr Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council cabinet member with responsibility for regulatory services, said: “This was a despicable action by a trader who was exploiting the vulnerability of an elderly couple. I would like to praise the work of our trading standards team and legal services for their work in bringing this businessman to book. Sharp practices cannot be tolerated by this authority and we will not hesitate to prosecute.”
This website uses cookies to improve the experience our website users receive and to track page hits and the like. If you continue to use our website then we are assuming you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
I ❤ Macc Cookie Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login