On September 17, 2019, a local trader was ordered to pay £21,999.80, as well as receiving a Criminal Behaviour Order that restricts him and his business from cold calling in the Wrexham area.
Wrexham Trading Standards took the case against William Evans T/A Evans North Wales Paving to Wrexham Magistrates Court.
The bench heard that Mr Evans had carried out work that was deemed not to be of the standards expected of a professional contractor to properties in the Chirk and Garden Village area of Wrexham from May to August 2018.
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On each occurrence, the victims were lone women and considered by the court and Trading Standards Officers to be vulnerable.
Each of them relied upon Mr Evans’s skill and judgement to carry out work required to their homes. His work was found to be of no value, and fell far below the standards expected of a competent business. Mr Evans pleaded guilty in court to all charges.
Mr Evans also pleaded guilty to a charge of engaging in an aggressive business practice – which relates to behaviour through harassment, coercion or undue influence.
For this, Mr Evans received a significant proportion of the overall possible fine. Each victim is to be compensated in full and will receive an additional victim surcharge awarded by the court. In full, taking into account court costs of the prosecution, Mr Evans was ordered to pay £21,999.80.
A Criminal Behaviour Order was also granted which restricts Mr Evans and his business from cold calling in the Wrexham area, or engaging in aggressive practices, such as taking people to the bank.
The order also ensures that he must comply with the statutory requirements expected of any business in relation to off-business premises contracts.
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for People – Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said “This is a pleasing result to a case where Mr Evans took advantage of each victim by recklessly engaging in work which contravened the requirements expected of a professional business. He caused significant harm and distress to the victims and behaved irresponsibly.
“Hopefully the victims will now be able to move on with their lives and this serves as a reminder to rogue traders that Wrexham Trading Standards will go to the lengths necessary to protect people and their rights.”
Roger Mapleson, Trading Standards and Licensing Lead, said, “Wrexham Trading Standards tries to work with businesses in Wrexham to ensure they are fully compliant with the law and doesn’t take action lightly. Our remit is to protect the public and businesses who trade legitimately.
“We’re pleased to see that the Magistrates’ Court have recognised the significance of this crime and the impact it’s had on the victims, who like anyone else, just wanted some work doing to improve their homes. We’ll continue our work on doorstep crime to safeguard the public in Wrexham and clamp down on rogue traders.”
If you want to complain or get any advice about goods or services you have bought please contact Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 03454 040506.
Or, if you want to report something you think is suspicious, please contact either Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 03454 040506 or North Wales Police on 101.
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