8 May 2000

NEWTOWNARDS COMPANY FINED FOLLOWING 'CLOCKING OF VEHICLES'

At Newtownards Magistrates Court today, Monday 8 May, 2000, locally based car valet company, Autosheen (NI) Ltd, of Donaghadee Road, Newtownards, was successfully prosecuted by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

The offences related to substantial mileage reductions on two vehicles sold by one of the company's directors, Mr Eddie Babb, to unsuspecting members of the public.

One vehicle - a Ford Mondeo - had its mileage reduced from 107,000 to 57,000.

The second vehicle, a Rover 214 had its mileage reduced from 102,000 to 57,000 miles.

It was claimed by the defence that checks had not been carried out on the vehicles and that they were mainly involved in car valeting.

The company pleaded guilty to the charges and fines totalling £2,000 plus costs were imposed.

The company was charged under The Trade Descriptions Act 1968.