Crime Solicitors

A father and his two sons who admitted charges involving mis-selling used cars have been ordered to pay £3,700 following prosecution by Buckinghamshire Council and Surrey County Council, which operate a joint trading standards service.

Charles Wenman Snr, Charles Wenman Jnr and Mark Wenman falsely advertised second-hand cars as being covered by a 12-month warranty from a warranty company.

The three men – who run Cranleigh-based dealership Walton Motors – were sentenced by Redhill Magistrates Court, following an investigation by Surrey County Council’s Trading Standards officers.

The Walton Motors website claimed that all cars sold came with a third-party, 12-month warranty, provided by Warranty Management Services.

This information was frequently given verbally to potential customers who visited the dealership to view the cars on sale.

However, very few of the cars sold by Walton Motors were actually covered by WMS warranties, the court heard.

Customers complained to Trading Standards, after needing repairs to their vehicles and discovering no warranty had been registered.

The trio’s defence lawyer told the court that the offences were down to the haphazard way in which the business was run, however, rather than dishonesty.

All three defendants admitted one count under 2008 Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading regulations, relating to false claims on the Walton Motors website between 24 September 2014 and 16 December 2014.

Charles Wenman Jnr, 30 – of Sandy Lane, Walton-on-Thames in Surrey –admitted a further offence under the regulations, relating to a claim made to a customer that a vehicle was covered by a 36-month WMS warranty.

He was fined £350 for each offence, with a victim surcharge of £35 and costs of £1,064 – a total of £1,799.

Charles Wenman Snr, 52 – of Guildford Road in Cranleigh, Surrey – was fined £400, with a victim surcharge of £40 and costs of £532 – a total of £972.

Mark Wenman, 27 – of Dunsfold Road in Alfold, Surrey – was fined £350, with a victim surcharge of £35 and costs of £532 – a total of £917.

After sentencing, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Localities and Community Wellbeing, Richard Walsh, said:

“False claims about products for sale not only mislead consumers, but also undermine other businesses – and our Trading Standards teams will do all they can to stamp out these practices.

“The claims made by these car dealers swayed customers into buying cars they might not otherwise have wanted – and landed some of them with unexpected repair bills when faults developed with the vehicles sold.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of an investigation by Trading Standards or at any stage of a charge involving mis-selling, misrepresentation, counterfeit goods, or any charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading regulations.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence solicitor can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on consumer protection offences, call Duncan Lewis motoring solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.