A Poole man has been sentenced by the courts for falsely claiming he was an approved electrician.
Borough of Poole’s Trading Standards team successfully prosecuted Stephen Clark, aged 51, of Nelson Road, Branksome who was found guilty of three counts of Fraud and two additional charges relating to Consumer Protection regulations at Bournemouth Magistrates Court on 9 July.
Mr Clark was sentenced to a Community Order, requiring him to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work over 12 months. In addition he was required to attend an education, training and employment course for 15 days. He was also ordered to pay Borough of Poole £2,500 to cover legal costs and a victim surcharge of £60 by a judge at Bournemouth Magistrates Court yesterday.
The offences related to work undertaken by Mr Clark at three homes, two in Poole and one in Lytchett Matravers between April 2011 and March 2013. In each case Mr Clark falsely claimed that he was an approved electrician in order to meet building control regulations. His customers then had to get further repairs carried out by approved traders who were able to certify their work. On two occasions, Mr Clark issued worthless certificates relating to his electrical work to clients. He also failed to provide his customers with the proper paperwork relating to his business identity, how to contact him and that they had a right to cancel the contract.
Andy Shimmen, Trading Standards Officer, Borough of Poole, said: “We are satisfied with this sentence. It sends a clear message to those people who seek to defraud members of our community that Trading Standards will come after you and bring you to justice.”
Councillor Xena Dion, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Consumer Protection, Borough of Poole, said: “As consumers we need to have complete trust in electricians who are carrying out often complex work on our properties to ensure that any work is safe and properly certificated. This case damages that level of trust. However we are committed to protecting our residents from unscrupulous traders and we will have no hesitation in seeking prosecution through the courts.”
