THE director of Lydbrook-based Autospares (UK) Ltd has been found guilty of nine offences of making false promises to customers.

At Cheltenham Magistrates Court Simon James Haile, 52, from Monmouth was ordered to pay compensation to nine victims proportionate to the amounts they had lost, a total of more than £1,600.

Gloucestershire County Council’s trading standards department first received complaints in 2005 relating to the quality of description of car parts being supplied and delays in processing refunds.

Haile then agreed to improve the way he conducted his business.

But despite an initial reduction, the number of complaints against the company gradually began to creep up again and a second investigation was started in 2015.

This investigation revealed that the company was taking orders for parts on the basis they were held in stock when that was not the case.

In some cases the company would send an incorrect part in order to delay any claim for a refund, and eventually evidence emerged that orders were taken, but no parts were ever despatched.

In sentencing, the magistrates concluded that these were serious matters because of the large number of complaints and the amount of money lost.

The company has since ceased trading and the court heard that Haile had limited means.

Cllr Nigel Moor, cabinet member for planning and infrastructure, said: “It is sad to see that despite the initial co-operation; ultimately we have had to prosecute in this instance.

“Our trading standards team work hard to protect the interests of the public and businesses across the county and we take instances like this very seriously.

“I would urge anyone running a business to make sure they are operating legally and providing customers with what they promise.”