Company in Court

[johnb2713]

A COMPANY has been convicted of using fake testimonials, misleading clients and overcharging customers for solar panels.

Among those taken in were homeowners from Kintbury, leading to an investigation by West Berkshire Council's Public Protection Partnership.

Now the company has been convicted at Reading Crown Court of knowingly or recklessly engaging in unfair commercial practice.

Reading Crown Court. (55914707)
Specifically, the Liverpool-based ESE Group Ltd was found to have been

causing misleading marketing letters to be sent to consumers

offering a 'free check' - when the actual purpose in attending customers' homes was to try to sell goods or services

falsely claiming to be accredited by NAPIT (the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)

selling unnecessary or falsely described products or services

overcharging customers for equipment and installation

failing to provide adequate cancellation rights

using false testimonials

making misleading claims about risk to the consumer's property and safety

The company was convicted of engaging in the above behaviour between November 2017 and February 2021.

Company directors Gary Fredson of Stoneleigh Park, Thornton, Cheshire; Jonathan Walsh of James Atkinson Way, Crewe, Cheshire and Leighton McCardle of St Marys Road, Runcorn, Cheshire, had all been charged with fraudulent trading but the prosecution offered no evidence and they were acquitted.

The company is expected to be sentenced next year.

Why does it take 8 months to sentence a company????

 

[binky]

offering a 'free check' - when the actual purpose in attending customers' homes was to try to sell goods or services

Can't believe it's taken that long to prosecute these artholes, they were highly active 7/8 years ago. They offered free safety checks on AC isolators, amongst other things. Just an excuse to get a foot in your door and flog you stuff like microinverters.

Why does it take 8 months to sentence a company????

I never understood that either.

 

[Murdoch]

Give me a judges wig and the opportunity and I’d take about 2 minutes to hand down a suitable sentence

 

[UNG]

Why does it take 8 months to sentence a company????

It is usually so the court can check if assets have been squirrelled away or diverted from the company, the overall value of the fraudulent activity, what the fine / sentence should be, whether any or all of the directors should be disqualified, in general it is all about preparing reports for the judge to make a final decision on sentencing

 

[Ronski]

I remember receiving a letter from them, I think they just looked on Google and sent letters to people with panels. Clearly dodgy, glad the law finally, well, will eventually catch up with them.