A ROGUE businessman from Crewe who falsely purported to be a member of the ‘Guild of Master Craftsmen’ has been ordered to pay out more than £1,500 after admitting fraudulent trading.

Magistrates in Crewe heard on April 24 that driveways and paving trader, Lee Potter also failed to tell customers of their right to cancel contracts within seven days.

The 34-year-old, of High Farm, Eardswick Lane, Minshull Vernon, who traded as Ultimate Driveways UK, pleaded guilty to five offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations Act of 2008.

Potter admitted three offences of using the logo of the ‘Guild of Master Craftsmen’ on his paperwork, website and adverts and two offences of failing to supply residents with their written rights to cancel the transaction within seven days.

Councillor Les Gilbert, Cheshire East Cabinet member in charge of communities and regulatory services, said: “Prosecutions such as this send out a clear message that we are an enforcing council and will take firm action to protect our residents and communities from rogue traders. Fraud will simply not be tolerated.

“It is important, for everyone’s benefit, to raise awareness of rogue trading and fraudsters. Our plea to the people of Cheshire East is to please be very wary of cold-callers and buying on the doorstep.”

Potter’s offences took place between May 2012 and October 2013.

The court heard he misled two Cheshire East residents into thinking that he was a guild member while doing driveway work.

He had previously been told by the Guild of Master Craftsmen to remove their logo from his business adverts.

Magistrates fined Potter £500 and ordered to pay £1,225 in court costs. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £50.

Trading standards operates an approved trader scheme called ‘Buy with Confidence’.

Visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or call 0300 123 5500 for more information.

Businesses interested in joining the scheme can call 01270 685900 or email tradingstandards@cheshireeast.gov.uk