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Rogue trader sentenced

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Swansea crown court (1)A DOORSTEP trader, who ‘bullied and intimidated his victims’ while offering replacement guttering and roofing services has been given a suspended sentence for breaching the terms of an Enforcement Order.

The sentence was issued to David John Hanford, director of One Call Repair Ltd, by Swansea County Court on Friday (9th January).

The action was brought by Pembrokeshire County Council Public Protection’s Trading Standards Section under the Enterprise Act 2002.

Hanford, currently residing in Swansea, was issued with the enforcement order in December 2012.

It was issued for continually breaching consumer protection legislation including failing to issue cancellation notices, failing to honour refunds, conducting substandard work and making false claims of association with local authorities.

At the time he was based in Pembrokeshire but operating across South Wales.

Hanford did not attend the hearing and sent a letter to the Court requesting an adjournment. The matter went ahead in his absence before his Honour Judge Vosper, who heard evidence of numerous complaints against Mr Hanford and his business.

The Judge heard that many of the complainants were elderly and reported feeling bullied and intimidated by David John Hanford’s behaviour.

He usually presented himself as ‘John’ an employee of the business and inferred that ‘David’ was the owner. He masqueraded between the two, to mislead consumers and avoid liability.

Some consumers were persuaded to have work which was not necessary. Typically work commenced following payment of a deposit. Existing guttering or roof tiles would be removed, prior to demands for more money to buy materials. If consumers refused to pay by a specified period they were threatened with “walking off the job and court action”.

Even when money was paid Mr Hanford was usually never seen again to complete the work. Any work he did was to a very poor standard.

Evidence was also presented that one consumer was left with all the roof tiles removed from the rear of her property.

Another was pressurised to rent his caravan to Hanford’s family, only to have Hanford later demand a refund of the money paid. The complainant was taken to the post office by Hanford to withdraw the money.

Other traders also lost money for non payment of goods or services.

Judge Vosper was satisfied that the Enforcement Order had been breached several times by Hanford. If evidence is received of a new breach after January 9, Hanford will receive a six month custodial sentence.

Cllr Huw George, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, said he welcomed the Judge’s decision.

He urged members of the public to be wary of businesses cold calling.

“While some doorstep sellers are perfectly legitimate and offer honest and reliable customer service, there are salespeople who take advantage of people through pressurised selling,” he said.

“It’s vital that homeowners take the time to consider their decisions carefully, with the support of family and friends.”

Anyone wishing to report a complaint should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0345 4 04 05 06 / 0345 4 04 05 05 (Welsh speaker).

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Closure of Tata Steel’s coke ovens sparks political and union backlash

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THE recent announcement by Tata Steel to close the coke ovens at its Port Talbot plant in South Wales has ignited a firestorm of political and industrial action, highlighting the deepening crisis within the British steel industry and the challenges facing the transition to green steel.

Jo Stevens MP, the Shadow Welsh Secretary, expressed her concerns over the impact of the closure on the Welsh steel industry and the workers affected. Stevens emphasized the need for assurances about the workers’ immediate future and pledged that a UK Labour government would invest in the steel industry to support the transition to green steel, harnessing the skills, talent, and ambition of Welsh steelworkers.

The closure, slated for Wednesday due to concerns over the ovens’ “operational stability,” has been criticized by regional Senedd Members for South Wales West, Tom Giffard MS, and Dr. Altaf Hussain MS. They accused the Labour Welsh Government of neglecting its support for the Tata Steelworks in Port Talbot, highlighting a lack of financial assistance since 2019 and calling for a change in response to the current developments.

Unite, the UK’s leading union, has been vocal in its opposition to Tata’s decision, describing it as a shock and a “result of years of betrayal.” The union criticized Tata for not disclosing the imminent risk of closure during recent consultations and announced a ballot for industrial action among 1,500 Tata workers. Unite insists there should be no job losses at Port Talbot or Llanwern and that a blast furnace should remain operational.

Peter Hughes, Unite’s regional secretary for Wales, called for Tata to halt its closure plans in anticipation of Labour’s promised £3 billion investment to rejuvenate the UK steel industry. He accused Tata of managing the decline of UK steel while accepting government subsidies, describing the company’s actions as “deliberate industrial vandalism.”

The closure has not only raised concerns about the future of steel production in the UK but also spotlighted the political and economic strategies required to ensure the industry’s survival and transition towards more sustainable practices. The unfolding situation underscores the need for a collaborative approach between the government, industry stakeholders, and the workforce to navigate the complex challenges ahead.

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Firefighters tackle blaze at block of garages in Monkton

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ONE person was injured as a result of a sunday afternoon garage fire in a block of garages in Monkton.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told The Pembrokeshire Herald said: “At 1.31pm on March 17, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven crews were called to extinguish a fire in an alight central garage and were forced to use two breathing apparatus and two hose reels.

“The firefighters reportedly left the scene at 3.02pm after continuing to dampen the fire and check for fire spread.

“The casualty was treated by ambulance service personnel also in attendance.”

The police confirmed that a garage fire had been dealt with by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Welsh Ambulance Service attended.

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Air ambulance called following incident at Aldi Pembroke Dock

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THE WALES AIR AMBULANCE, along with the Welsh Ambulance Service and police were called on Monday morning to an incident at the Aldi supermarket car park in Pembroke Dock.

The Herald understands that the alarm was raised after a car hit a person in the car park after 9am.

We have been told that the incident involved a local taxi.

The emergency services have been asked for a comment.

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