Trader is banned from cold calling in Suffolk

A ROGUE trader has been banned from cold calling in Suffolk for two years after targeting an elderly woman.

Thomas Bryan was issued with a criminal antisocial behaviour order (CRASBO) by magistrates in Bury St Edmunds following a Suffolk Tradings Standards investigation.

He was also fined �1,800 and ordered to pay �2,000 costs.

This is only the second CRASBO issued following an investigation by Suffolk Tradings Standards - part of Suffolk County Council.

Bryan, who is not from the Suffolk area, cold called an elderly woman in Newmarket in April last year offering to power-wash her roof, which he said he had also carried out for her next door neighbour.

The woman was initially quoted �150, but on completion of the work she was charged double.

Bryan was arrested by police after Tradings Standards were contacted.

The investigation revealed Bryan had not carried out any work at the neighbour’s house.

Mary Baines, a Tradings Standards officer, said: “This is a successful prosecution of an individual who has targeted an elderly woman, who lives alone, and deliberately lied to persuade her to agree to have work carried out at her home.

“She has been left feeling misled and ripped off, but far worse is the fact she now feels vulnerable in her own home.

“Suffolk Trading Standards has taken this move in order to protect the vulnerable members of our community.”

Bryan was convicted of failing to leave a cancellation notice and of misleading the customer by failing to let her know she had the right to cancel and by stating he had carried out work to a neighbour’s property.

He was also convicted of failing to leave a business address on the invoice.

Suffolk Trading Standards want to remind all residents to be vigilant in relation to doorstep callers.

To help find a local business use the Suffolk Tradings Standards Trusted Trader scheme at www.suffolktrustedtrader.com

For consumer advice contact Comsumer Direct on 0845 040506 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.