A man who was successfully prosecuted for fraud by
Borough of Poole has been given an 11 month prison
sentence.
Thomas Cash, of Banbury, Oxfordshire, pleaded guilty in October
2012 to one count of fraud and three counts under Consumer
Protection Regulations, one of which included an aggressive
practice.
A judge imposed an 11 month custodial sentence on Mr Cash at
Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 21 December 2012.
The offences related to an incident involving work undertaken by
Mr Cash on a private driveway.
The customer, a vulnerable elderly local woman, was overcharged
approximately £2,000 for the work and was accompanied by Mr Cash to
two building societies and a cash point, where she was encouraged
to take out money.
No cancellation notice was given to the victim allowing her a
seven day cooling off period and a false trade name and address was
given, to deceive the victim into believing he was reputable.
Sergeant Simon Perry, of Rossmore and Alderney Safer
Neighbourhood Team, said: “This case is an excellent example of the
team and partnership work between the Safer Neighbourhood Team and
Trading Standards.
“This was a despicable offence targeting a lone elderly female
and is one of several recent convictions for such offending.
“Our message to offenders in Poole is clear. Dorset Police and
Trading Standards share information and are committed to bringing
offenders to justice.
“I would also appeal to residents to look out for neighbours,
especially the elderly, and if you have any doubts about traders to
contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. From experience,
legitimate traders are happy to be checked out.”
James Norman, Regulatory Team Manager, Borough of Poole, said:
“This is a case of an elderly vulnerable woman being exploited by a
trader.
“I hope this conviction sends a clear message to those people
who seek to defraud vulnerable members of our community that
Trading Standards will use all means at their disposal to bring
these traders to justice.
“We would recommend that anyone wishing to find a trader they
can trust, to visit http://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/.”