Rogue trader sentenced in Shrewsbury Crown Court

Shropshire Council’s public protection service is reminding consumers of the risks associated when contracting with doorstep sellers.

The reminder follows a successful prosecution where Shropshire Council brought a case for breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 against Stephen Martin Lock, 49, from Penisaf Avenue, Towyn, Abergele, North Wales.

The case was originally heard on 20 February 2013 and Lock was sentenced today (Monday 22 April 2013) at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Lock admitted engaging in a commercial practice which was aggressive, engaging in commercial practices which were misleading by omission, and engaging in an unfair commercial practice.

The incidents took place at a home in Shrewsbury between 31 May 2011 and 29 June 2011.

The court heard how, on 29 June, Lock accompanied his customer to a branch of the Halifax Building Society where he pressured him to exchange a cheque payment for cash. Lock also twice failed to legally inform his customer about his right to cancel.

Lock pleaded guilty to a total of four offences and was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment – suspended for 24 months – and 200 hours unpaid work.  The court also ordered Lock to pay a total of £6,351: the full cost of the prosecution amounting to £5,395 together with £956 compensation to his customer.

Frances Darling, Shropshire Council’s public protection service manager for safer and stronger communities, said:

“Whilst we have prosecuted in this particular case, ultimately we do not want to take this level of enforcement action against individuals or traders unless it is absolutely necessary. However, we have a clear duty to protect consumers from criminal activities and to prevent criminal activity having a detrimental effect on local legitimate businesses.

“The type of behaviour exhibited by Lock towards his customer just will not be tolerated in Shropshire.  Protecting vulnerable people and supporting legitimate businesses are high priorities for the council.

“Traders who break the law, particularly where their criminality affects vulnerable people and puts the survival of legitimate businesses at risk, can expect to be investigated and potentially prosecuted for their actions.

“I believe the courts have supported the approach we have adopted to deal with the offences that were uncovered and that the sentence sends a very clear message that we will not tolerate this type of criminal activity in the county.  I very much hope that the result will serve to deter others from following a similar path.

“This is an excellent result for the public protection team and illustrates the valuable work that the service performs in protecting the public and the interests of legitimate traders in Shropshire.”

Shropshire Council encourages consumers to contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06 if they have any concerns that they themselves or their neighbours, friends or relatives may have been or are likely to become a victim of doorstep criminals.  Information can be given anonymously and will be notified to public protection for intelligence purposes.  The information received will always be treated in line with Shropshire Council’s information governance policies.

Any trader who wishes to trade door-to-door can seek advice on steps they can take to ensure they do so legally by contacting Shropshire Council’s public protection business support and locality working team on 0345 678 9000.