Rogue trader fined

Date: 12/02/2009

A tradesman who flouted consumer protection law has been fined £520 and ordered to pay costs of £500.

David McMillan from Moorland Park, Hewish, was sentenced at Weston Magistrates on January 27 for offences contrary to the Consumer Protection Act and Consumer Protection Regulations.

Mr McMillian, who runs Fair Trade Plastics, supplies and fits facia boards, guttering, down pipes and apex boards.

The offences relate to May and June 2008 when Mr McMillan misled consumers over the price of his service, failed to give appropriate information about contracts and used aggressive tactics to obtain more work.

Cllr Carl Francis-Pester, executive member responsible for consumer protection, said the prosecution sent a tough message to other trading businesses.

"People providing services to our consumers have a duty to uphold the law and provide a fair and honest service. We will not tolerate those flouting the law, and as this case shows, we will prosecute."