Hartlepool trader convicted of unfair commercial practice

Published Friday, 10th December 2021

A Hartlepool man has been ordered to pay over £2,600 in fines and costs after being convicted of performing unsatisfactory landscaping works without reasonable care and skill. 

Daryl Sanders, of Greenock Road, appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court on December 3rd and pleaded guilty to an offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 in a case brought by Hartlepool Borough Council Trading Standards.

The court heard how a couple from the town employed Sanders to perform landscaping works at their property in May 2020 for which they paid £5,900.

Unfortunately, numerous problems became evident almost immediately, including loose paving slabs and edging blocks. The paving and edging blocks had been laid over a thin sub-base laid directly onto existing turf with no digging out apparent.

Some of the blocks could simply be lifted by hand and the grouting cracked immediately, allowing weeds to permeate.

The new turf was sinking in places and it was found that it had simply been laid on top of old upturned, diseased turf.

A concrete base which was requested to be a set size for a particular garden shed was also made too small, meaning that the shed would not fit.

The couple's garden

The couple's garden

Sanders was asked to return to rectify the work and he agreed to do so ten times, but failed to turn up each time.

Due to the lack of resolution, the couple proceeded by way of the small claims track and were successful. However, no payments were made by Sanders so they contacted Hartlepool Trading Standards who arranged to have the works assessed by a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute. A report concluded that the works hadn’t been done to an acceptable standard for a paid service and would cost the householder more to rectify and reinstate the materials in an acceptable fashion.

Neil Harrison, Senior Trading Standards Officer for Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “The Trading Standards department will not hesitate to take action against those who rip-off consumers in this fashion.  All traders are capable of a poor job once in a while but the number of problems with this work was simply unacceptable and coupled with the failure of the trader to return and put matters right a prosecution was deemed an appropriate course of action.

“Unfortunately for the victims in this case, they are left with their back garden looking an eyesore and they will have a significant outlay to make the garden look as it should have.

“Cases like these are stressful for those involved and we would urge anyone who has concerns regarding work performed at their property to contact Trading Standards on (01429) 523362.”