plumber fined by trading standards

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A PLUMBER who falsely claimed he was CORGI registered in the Yellow Pages has been fined £2,500.
Kevin Martin, of Pooley Way, Yaxley, near Peterborough, was also ordered to pay £1,259 in legal costs after he pleaded guilty to false advertising.

Trading Standards launched an investigation into Martin’s Plumbing Services after an anonymous tip off from a disgruntled customer in Stanground, Peterborough.

And officers discovered that the 48-year-old was falsely advertising in the 06/07 edition of the Peterborough Yellow Pages that his business was CORGI registered.

By law all businesses that undertake work on gas fittings must be registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI).

The city customer had wanted Martin to remove old silicone sealant in a cubicle and it be replaced with new sealant and checked for leaks. He also wanted Martin to drain down the hot water system and replace a radiator connection.

The company was paid £180 by cheque but when the customer checked the work he found that the new sealant had been applied over the old on the shower cubicle. No attempt had been made to drain down the hot water system and no replacement connector had been fitted. All that had been done was that a smear of sealant had been applied to the neck and base of the old connector.

Following investigations made by the resident, Martin confirmed to him he was not CORGI registered. The customer stopped his cheque and sent the company just £40 for the work carried out.

Cambridge Magistrates’ Court heard how the business had been registered between November 2002 and January 2004. But Martin had written to CORGI on September 15, 2003, confirming that a colleague, who was registered, had left the business and that the company would no longer be carrying out any further work unless someone qualified replaced him.

CORGI repeatedly wrote to Martin explaining his registration was being removed and that he needed to make sure the logo must not be used on advertisements or stationery.

Martin said he had hoped to employ somebody who was CORGI registered when he agreed to the advert.

Prosecutor for Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards, Frank Chandley, said: “People rely on the CORGI registration mark as an indication of quality, and trust businesses that advertise using it. Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards takes a dim view of traders who falsely claim they are CORGI registered. Not only does it mean their work could actually leave residents with a dangerous situation, but it also means it takes work away from traders who are qualified and stick to the law. We are pleased that magistrates felt this was a serious case.”
 
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Not much of a fine considering the amount of money he must have earnt through stating he was CORGI registered.
 
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