A Wiltshire handyman has been prosecuted following an investigation by Wiltshire Council’s Trading Standards officers after accepting more than £2,000 from consumers for home improvement jobs that were never started.
Michael Collins, 42, of Broad Street, Trowbridge, who traded as MC’s Gardening & Handyman Services, appeared before Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 18 August where he pleaded guilty to two offences relating to unfair commercial practices. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay a further £1,700, comprising £880 in prosecution costs, £700 in compensation and a victim surcharge of £120.
The prosecution followed complaints from two Wiltshire residents who paid Mr Collins for home improvement services that were never delivered.
In the first case, a Chippenham resident agreed to pay £1,250 for painting and decorating work after seeing the business advertised on social media. Between September and November 2024, she paid Mr Collins £700. Despite repeated promises that the work would begin, no work was undertaken and no refund was provided.
In the second case, a resident from Christian Malford paid him £1,391.53 towards fencing work, including a deposit and the cost of materials. He failed to start the project and Trading Standards enquiries later established that the materials had never been ordered despite assurances given to the customer.
During an interview under caution, Mr Collins admitted receiving £700 from one victim and £1,391.53 from the other. He also confirmed that no work had been carried out at either property and that none of the money had been returned.
Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “These residents paid significant sums of money in good faith, believing the agreed work would be carried out. Instead, they were left out of pocket and understandably frustrated when nothingHandyman fined after taking more than £2,000 for work that was never carried out happened, despite repeated and subsequent false assurances from Mr Collins. Consumers should be able to trust that traders who accept payment for services will either deliver on their promises or return the customer’s money, but that trust was broken in these cases We are committed to protecting consumers and will continue to investigate and prosecute traders who engage in unfair trading practices. Anyone looking for a reputable trader should consider using the Buy With Confidence scheme, where businesses have been audited and approved by Trading Standards. “
Residents who believe they may have experienced similar problems should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk
For details of local Trading Standards approved businesses, visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk