Businessman used aggressive behaviour to his customers

Businessman used aggressive behaviour to his customers

Using aggressive behaviour to his customers and carrying out shoddy work has landed one Llanelli businessman with a community order and 180 hours of unpaid work.

Ioan Llyr Berry, director of Pearl Home Improvements, also admitted misusing quality marks when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court in a prosecution led by Carmarthenshire Council.

The court heard how Berry, of Nightingale Court, Coedcae, had been approached by three customers who wanted work carrying out in their property.

Consumer A paid £13,500 for him to build an orangery which now has to be demolished as it does not comply with building regulations and poses a significant risk of failure to the sewer and the property. Consumer A also paid him over £2,000 deposit to construct a loft conversion which was not returned. Prior to agreeing for the works to be carried out Consumer A was shown a copy of the company’s website that contained the TRUSTMARK logo. Subsequent enquires by Consumer A found that the company was not a member of TRUSTMARK and therefore not permitted to use the logo.  Consumer A contacted Berry over the phone to express their disappointment at the works carried out, when he became verbally abusive and told the consumer “you had better watch your kids.”

Consumer B also contracted with the 33-year-old to build a conservatory which was never built and printed on the contract for works was the FENSA quality logo, neither the company nor Mr Berry are registered with FENSA.

Berry carried out works for Consumer C but used aggressive behaviour on two occasions when trying to obtain payment for the said works.

In summing up the case at crown court on Friday, Judge Chris Clee QC agreed with Consumer A’s referencing of Berry being a cowboy. He said: “I can’t think of a more apt description.”

Berry was convicted of five charges under the consumer protection from unfair trading regulations 2008 – two relating to misuse of quality marks, two relating to aggressive practices and one for poor workmanship. He was given a 12-month community order to run concurrently and his business was fine £10,000 for the five offences. A compensation order has been made for £18,597.60 for remedial costs to Consumer A.

The council’s executive board member for public protection, Cllr Phillip Hughes said: “This man conned an innocent consumer out of thousands of pounds and duped other customers into believing they were being provided with good quality work. Our trading standards and legal team have worked tirelessly to bring this man to justice. I hope this serves as a clear message to anyone thinking of carrying out shoddy work, using aggressive behaviour or ripping off their customers – we have the power to stop you in your tracks and we will.”

Trading Standards in Carmarthenshire encourage businesses to join a trusted trader scheme which can offer guidance and assistance regarding their responsibilities under the law. A list of the council’s registered traders is available on our website.  The council is looking at the possibility of adopting a nationally recognised scheme – ‘Buy With Confidence’ and would welcome any enquires regarding potential membership. For further information please contact the team on 01267 234567.