A man claiming to sell a cancer cure has been fined £750 following an investigation by Essex Trading Standards.

Steven Cook, 54, was charged under the Cancer Act after suggesting Colloidal Silver was a treatment for the disease.

Cook, of East Road, West Mersea, pleaded guilty at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday September 12.

He runs a website selling various products containing silver including “Ultimate Colloidal Silver”, a liquid made at his home.

Trading Standards said during its prosecution that claims on the website implied the product cured cancer, which is illegal.

Magistrates imposed a fine of £750 and ordered him to pay £1,500 costs.

Cook has now updated the website and removed any claims that colloidal silver can cure some cancers.

Roger Walters, Essex county councillor for Trading Standards, said: “Trading Standards’ advice to people who are considering whether to take any substance not prescribed for a medical purpose, either preventative or as a treatment, is to consult their doctor first.

“I hope the public feel safer knowing that Essex Trading Standards will take action where traders are trying to sell products which are neither medically proven nor safe.”