Fraud conviction for tradesman

On Friday 12 October 2018, Joseph Munn was ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work after admitting four charges of fraud at an earlier hearing.

Munn from Saltcoats, who traded as Handmade Stairs Ltd from a workshop in Crosshouse, took large deposits from customers who had ordered bespoke staircases before failing to provide the goods or pay back the deposits.

The investigation by Trading Standards revealed that Munn had taken deposits of up to £5000 for the manufacture and fitting of staircases but would give excuses to customers as to why the work could not be carried out.

Eventually, Munn ceased trading in February 2017 leaving a string of consumers heavily out of pocket; the total detriment to his customers was over £17,000.

Munn was the sole Director of the company that was dissolved in November 2017.

Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Member for Older People and Community Safety said: “Protecting consumers from unscrupulous traders is a priority for our Trading Standards Service and we will continue to strive to ensure that East Ayrshire’s consumers can contract for goods and services with confidence.

“East Ayrshire Council has recently launched a Trusted Trader Scheme to assist consumers in identifying reputable traders. The details can be found at www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/trustedtrader or by contacting Trading Standards on 01563 576602.”