On 03 May 2024, at Reading Crown Court, Thomas Wilson aged 41, from Main Street, Alne in York and Dale Fastnedge aged 33 from Lindsay Close, Stanwell in Surrey were sentenced for unfair trading contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
In 2019 a Bracknell family were looking to convert their loft. After obtaining several quotes for the work, the family engaged the services of Crown Lofts Ltd, the director of whom was Thomas Wilson. They were informed that the Project Manager was Dale Fastnedge who would be overseeing the work.
Work commenced in September 2019 but soon fell behind schedule, the following month it was noted by the family that the work was not being carried out according to the architects’ plans. The relationship between the parties deteriorated and the company ceased work prior to the completion of the build. An independent Surveyor reported that there had been changes to the design layout and the workmanship was unacceptably poor, with the cost of the remedial work exceeding the cost of the original works.
Following a complaint to the Public Protection Partnership Trading Standards Service an investigation was commenced. This led to a prosecution that was undertaken by the Joint Case Management Unit on behalf of Bracknell Forest Council. Both defendants entered guilty pleas and the matter was listed for sentencing on the 3rd May 2024.
Thomas Wilson was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, with a requirement to undertake 220 hours of Unpaid Work and ordered to pay compensation in the sum of £15,000.
Dale Fastnedge was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, with a requirement to undertake 150 hours of Unpaid Work, and to pay compensation in the sum of £5,000.
Damian James Assistant Director Contract Services said: “This is yet another example of unfair trading affecting residents. We are pleased that the court ordered the victims to be compensated. Bracknell Forest Council always takes allegations of this nature affecting residents seriously.”
Any resident that has concerns about trader-related activity should contact the service on 01635 519930 or e-mail tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk.
Notes:
The Public Protection Partnership (PPP) is a shared service delivering Environmental Health, Licensing and Trading Standards to people and businesses on behalf of Bracknell Forest Council, and West Berkshire Council.
PPP work jointly with Wokingham Borough Council to provide a Trading Standards, Financial Investigation and Case Management Service across the three authority areas.
These services encompass a wide range of areas of responsibility from environmental protection to fair trading, food safety to animal health, housing standards to taxi licensing, and more.
