Businessmen prosecuted for Cynon Valley Fraud
Three business men who charged two Cynon Valley residents for home damp proofing work that never took place have been prosecuted following an investigation by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Trading Standards.
Officers stepped in on behalf of the community following complaints from two residents in Aberdare, who claimed they had paid Valley Damp Proofing and Plasterers for work which had never taken place.
An independent inspector called in as part of the investigation visited the homes of the two complainants and confirmed there was no evidence of damp proofing work having taken place at the properties.
Trading Standards officers also completed a significant investigation into the actual ownership of the business and identified that Anthony Moses, of Park Lodge, Abernant, had visited the customers and his signature was on the paperwork. He was charged with one offence under the Fraud Act 2002, which he later admitted.
Mark Davies of Gilfach Street, Bargoed, was identified as the owner of the business at the time of the first offence and was also charged with two offences under the Fraud Act 2002.
Nathan Rae of High Street, Hirwaun, was identified as in charge of the business at the time of second of the complaints and was charged with two offences under the Fraud Act 2002.
On June 22, Rae and Moses appeared at Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to both offences put to them. Rae was fined £671.95 costs, ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and pay £2,300 compensation to the first homeowner.
Moses, who claimed throughout the hearing he was nothing to do with the business, was ordered to complete 70 hours’ unpaid community work and ordered to pay £871.96 costs.
On August 10 this year, Davies appeared in court for sentencing and was ordered to complete a 12-month Community Order with 150 hours’ of unpaid work. He was also told to pay £671.95 costs and £1250 compensation to the first victim.
Paul Mee, Service Director for Public Health and Protection at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “This was a complex case in which officers worked hard, on behalf of the residents who had raised concerns, to identify ownership of the business and responsibility for the offences.
“The fact that this case was successfully prosecuted and those responsible admitted the offences is testament to the officers’ hard work.
“This case was launched solely on the concerns raised with us by two Aberdare residents who had paid a significant amount of money each for work."
