A fencer who failed to carry out work after taking deposits has been prosecuted by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team.
The Guildhall in Bath
47-year-old Mark Harris, trading as A/M Fencing and Repairs of Lower South Wraxall, Bradford-on-Avon, pleaded guilty at Bath Magistrates Court on 17th January 17 to one offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
He returned to court on 14th February for sentencing.
The court heard Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards Service began an investigation into Harris after receiving a complaint from an elderly resident.
Harris took a deposit of £840 for materials and failed to carry out the agreed fencing work for his customer and then failed to return the money he had taken as a deposit, despite the consumer’s requests for a refund.
The fencer must now pay a fine of £384, a victim surcharge of £154 and prosecution costs of £1,734. Since pleading guilty, Harris has refunded the consumer their £840 deposit.
Councillor Kevin Guy, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Householders should be able to trust contractors they employ to safeguard any monies paid to them for materials and to complete the job in line with the specification.
“We hope that this prosecution sends out a clear message that our trading standards team will not hesitate to investigate and take action against those tradesmen who commit crime.”
The council runs an approved trader scheme called ‘Buy with Confidence’ where residents can search for local businesses which have been vetted and approved by Trading Standards.
Anyone looking for a local business to carry out some work is encouraged to visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk.
Anyone who thinks they might have fallen victim to a rogue trader should report it to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service who work in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Trading Standards.
You can contact them via telephone on 0345 40 40 506.
Before agreeing to any work, it’s recommended that you:
- Read reviews of traders and if possible use the Buy with Confidence Approved Trader Scheme.
- Ask at least three approved traders for quotes.
- Never pay upfront and never pay cash.
- Say no to doorstep sellers.
- Always get a detailed written quotation/contract.
- Check the builder’s references and even pay visits to the references.
- Ask your neighbours, family or friends for personal recommendations of builders who have worked for them and carried out a good job.
