Published on 7 - September - 2009

News

Rogue trader's false NICEIC claims puts him in the dock

A fraudster falsely claiming to be registered with NICEIC has been prosecuted by the electrical registration body after pleading guilty to six charges, in respect of the Trade Descriptions Act. (NICEIC's chief operations officer Kathy McCarthy pictured)

Gordon Perry, trading as Gordon's Electrics in Llandysul, Carmarthenshire, pleaded guilty at Cardigan Magistrates court, to six charges in relation to the act, including making false claims his business was registered with NICEIC on business cards, quotations and invoices.

Perry was fined £450, plus £750 towards court costs and a victim surcharge of £15. Some £1,500 in compensation was also awarded to the victims in the matter.

The NICEIC group has prosecuted several rogue traders following a rise of 33% in tradesmen securing work by falsely using the NICEIC logo.

"Rogue traders need to be aware that NICEIC will take all appropriate action to make sure our logo is not falsely used", said Emma McCarthy, chief operating officer of the NICEIC Group.

The NICEIC is a subsidiary of the Electrical Safety Council. It publishes registers of electrical contractors that it has assessed in relation to specific requirements including the technical standard of electrical work.

"We take all allegations of logo misuse extremely seriously as we must protect those contractors who voluntarily submit themselves to be assessed to our rigorous standards and notify their work where appropriate", added McCarthy.