A motor trader has been prosecuted for the sale of unsafe vehicles from his garage in Pontllanfraith.
Phillip Tyrone Taylor, 37, who until the end of November 2008 traded as both Blackwood Van Hire and PT Cars from Belmont Garage in Pontllanfraith, admitted four charges under consumer protection law at Caerphilly Magistrates Court.
Some of the charges related to the sale of a Ford Transit Van, which was sold with a mileage of 60,000 miles, when it had in fact travelled more than 120,000 miles.
This vehicle was also described as having a 12-month MOT when it only had 8 months remaining.
The other charges related to the sale of a Vauxhall Corsa, which Taylor failed to tell the buyer, a learner driver, it had been an insurance write-off
The vehicle was also described as having had two previous owners, when it had in fact had three.
Taylor, of Cwmbran, was later sentenced at Newport Crown Court to 32 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, in relation to the sale of the two motor vehicles.
He was also ordered to do 100 hours community service, was given a 12-month supervision order and ordered to pay compensation to the buyers of the two vehicles totalling £1,413.15.
He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs to Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards of £1,410.39.
Councillor Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment said: “This successful prosecution is testament to the hard work of our Trading Standards officers, who work tirelessly to protect our residents from issues such as this.
“There are also strict regulations and laws in place to protect consumers, which we do not hesitate to enforce should the need arise, as with this case.
“I hope this prosecution sends out a clear message that attempting to ‘rip off’ our residents in any form will not be tolerated, and strong action will be taken where necessary.”