Company Owner Fined Over Poor Workmanship

Denbighshire County Council has issued a warning that it will not tolerate unscrupulous individuals who mislead consumers by carrying out sub-standard work. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The warning follows a case in which a driveway company owner was fined for poor workmanship as well as falsely using logos belonging to other organisations. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Oscar Henson of Creative Stone Driveways in Poole, Dorset pleaded guilty to six charges under the Consumer Protection regulations; four in relation to poor workmanship and two for using logos on his website for which he was not entitled to do so. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He was fined £500 for each of the charges in relation to his work and £2,000 for each of the charges relating to false use of logos. Additionally, the victim was awarded £4,000 compensation for the work done and the stress and strain encountered as a result of Henson’s negligence. Henson must also pay £4,609 prosecution costs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire’s Public Protection Manager said “Traders are employed by consumers and there is an expectation that they will be knowledgeable in the area they are operating and act in good faith at all times. Consumers should always expect the people employed by any company are competent and have adequate training in the product they are using. Henson and his company did not meet any of these expectations this time. We would always advise consumers to consider traders who are members of reputable trade associations. In this case, Creative Stone Driveways gave the impression that they were reputable by being a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen and using products from an established company, Marshalls. Both claims were proved to be false and Henson was rightly convicted. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Traders operating in this manner will be investigated and we will continue to take a tough stance where needed as this protects our community and supports our local businesses. Whilst some traders continue to misrepresent their skills most are legitimate and take pride in their work. I would like to remind residents that they should continue to consider favourably those traders who are members of reputable trade associations but also exercise some caution and to check the accuracy of that membership with the association direct and likewise in relation to any references provided. Reputable traders will not mind you making background checks. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone wanting advice on doorstep trading, or to report an incident, can contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language) which gives free, independent and impartial advice on all consumer issues, or the police on 101. Any person feeling intimidated or threatened by any doorstep seller should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​