Wokingham trader convicted of unfair trading ordered to pay compensation
Saeed Sajjad Qureshi, aged 33, of Romsey Road, Reading, was convicted at Reading Magistrates Court on 8th January 2021 after pleading guilty to one offence under Regulation 8 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Mr Qureshi was ordered to pay a payment of £2,000 to the victim.
Mr Qureshi was prosecuted following an investigation by officers from the Public Protection Partnership Response Team supported by the Joint Case Management Unit. The investigation was commenced following the receipt of a complaint from a Wokingham resident about work done by Mr Qureshi and his firm Gas Spec between 16th and 30th September 2019 to refurbish a bathroom. In some instances, the work was so substandard that it posed a safety risk to the homeowner. In other instances it was of such a poor standard it breached the requirements of professional diligence (meaning it was below the standard of special skill and care reasonably expected of a trader acting in good faith and working with honest market practice in that field).
Gas Safe later found problems that put the gas supply “At Risk” because the pressure was too low. The gas supply to the house had to be turned off and the boiler marked as dangerous. The homeowner was also left with water leaking from the upstairs bathroom coming through to the downstairs kitchen the day after work had finished.
Anyone wishing to report any matters of this nature or any other public protection matter (trading standards, environmental health and licensing) can contact the service on 01635 503242.
Further information is available at https://publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk/trading-standards/
