Torfaen Man Sentenced For Unfair Commercial Practices

A Torfaen man has been sentenced following an investigation by Trading Standards. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

At a hearing on Monday 18th April at Cardiff Crown Court, Robert Knight, of RK Transport Trade Centre Ltd, pleaded guilty to 32 offences and will serve an additional 7 months to a 3 year sentence he is already serving for another offence. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Knight pleaded guilty to offences concerning unfair commercial practices and supplying a dangerous product in June last year. The offences were committed against 16 different customers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

HHJ David Wynn Morgan said that Customers going to his garage had limited means and were looking for value for money. They trusted him and in return they got defective vehicles and were treated in an unforgivable way. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Steve Osborne, Team Manager- Trading Standards for Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent Council, said: “Selling an unroadworthy car could lead to a serious accident and these practices must be stamped out. Through thorough investigation, our officers have highlighted a number of serious concerns about the way in which Robert Knight was operating. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We hope the case serves as a reminder to other car dealers that we follow up complaints on behalf of consumers. Independent car dealers can seek help and advice from Torfaen Trading Standards on how to comply with the law but Traders who do not take their responsibilities seriously are warned they could face court action. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This is another example of the excellent work being undertaken on a daily basis by trading standards, much of which is largely unseen by the general public, in its work to ensure people are safe and protected by consumer legislation.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​