Rogue trader jailed for eight months

Andrew Bagshaw, 39, who traded as Ecoways, a double glazing business, has been sentenced to eight months imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court having pleaded guilty at an early hearing to multiple offences breaching consumer protection legislation.

The offences related to failing to refund a deposit of £500 when a consumer cancelled their contract.

Taking a deposit of £500 from another consumer and failing to carry out any work.

Failing to honour a 10 year guarantee when a consumer complained of defects with their windows.

Claiming that a price was available for that day only.

Informing a customer that his bill would be reduced by £250 due to a Pilkington’s scheme when no such scheme existed.

Claiming to be a member of Certass, an accredited certification scheme, when this was not the case.

The victims of Ecoways were all retired with many aged in their eighties.

One 83-year-old victim from Leeds signed three contracts with Ecoways, the final contract being for a porch canopy. The victim was promised a double pitched design and was charged £1700. A single-pitched porch canopy was fitted which leaked and the victims complaint ignored.

An expert confirmed that the work was poor and the amount charged exorbitant with the work estimated to have a market value of only £500 - £600.

David Lodge, Head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards said: “This is another excellent result against rogue traders in our area. The case and the level of sentence imposed illustrates the seriousness with which the courts view traders who flout the laws designed to protect the public in general and the elderly and vulnerable in particular.

“I would advise consumers to be wary of grants or discounts offered by salesman as they may be a technique to elicit a quick sale.”