The director of Sandmoor Motors in Yorkshire has been jailed for six months in relation to 26 charges including falsely advertising vehicle mileages, misdescribing unroadworthy vehicles, tampering with MoT certificates and disguising insurance write offs.
Christopher Christoforou who traded as Sandmoor Motors of 1 Leeds Road, Birstall was jailed by Leeds Crown Court last week, having earlier pleaded guilty to 26 breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.
In addition a Proceeds of Crime investigation is underway.
His prosecution followed an investigation by Trading Standards, VOSA and West Yorkshire Police after Sandmoor Motors' customers complained.
The court heard that a number of significant mileage discrepancies were found including one vehicle which had a difference of 46,000 miles.
Recorder Batiste told Christoforou that he “had chosen to ignore the warnings given by Trading Standards and had committed a catalogue of fraudulent and dishonest behaviour in order to get extra profits.
“The message has to go out that people trading in used cars and behaving in such a thoroughly dishonest way as you did, that the courts will not accept it."
As editor, Tim is responsible for the media content, planning and production of AM's multiple channels (AM print and digital magazines, website, social media and contributing to our events planning). He interviews and writes about as many franchised dealer groups and UK divisions of motor manufacturers as possible, to explore the issues facing UK motor retail and understand what solutions dealers and suppliers are using to overcome these.
1963gpl - 30/09/2014 19:07
Our business needs to be regulated, at the moment anybody can do it.