Rogue Traders Prosecuted By Merthyr Tydfil Trading Standards

On the 15th February, 2017, a rogue trader pleaded guilty at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court to offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations and the Fraud Act following an investigation carried out by Merthyr Tydfil Trading Standards Service. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The court was told by prosecuting solicitor Joe Murphy that Steve Goggin of Penydarren, Merthyr Tydfil (trading as Genesis Building Services) had carried out a substandard roof replacement at the home of an elderly resident in Merthyr Tydfil. Following completion of the work, the consumer complained to the Trading Standards of poor workmanship which Goggin had failed to return and correct. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Trading Standards engaged an independent expert to examine the work who stated it was “unequivocally substandard”, “well below quality of industry expected standards”, “of no pecuniary value” and “would have to be completely removed and rebuilt”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

On sentencing, Magistrates commented that Goggins was “a disgrace” and that “his shoddy workmanship had created a great deal of anxiety for an innocent consumer”. Goggin was sentenced to a 12 month community order which included a 12 week curfew and a rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also ordered to pay compensation and court charges to the total of £1555. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Paul Lewis, Trading Standards Manager, states: “We are all aware of the upset and upheaval that poorly carried out home improvements can cause consumers. Through thorough investigations carried out by our officers we were able to bring this rogue trader to book. Our advice to consumers is to always seek quotes from a number of traders before agreeing on undertaking work and ask for recommendations from friends and family in finding a good tradesman.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Chris Barry, Portfolio Member for Trading Standards, stated: “Consumers trust Tradesmen to have the requisite skill and expertise when they are engaged to carry out home improvements. Ensuring business comply with their legal requirements is an important role fulfilled by the Trading Standards Service” . ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​