Double glazing boss guilty of fraud

Kulvinder Singh, director of Central Windows West Midland Ltd in Smethwick, admitted printing on headed notepaper and in his paperwork he handed to customers that his company was a member of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Singh also admitted that he had printed on business cards that the company was registered with double glazing regulators FENSA and the Glass and Glazing Federation.

But Sandwell Magistrates Court heard yesterday, that Central Windows which is based at the Britannia Works on Engine Street was not affiliated with any of these organisations.

The court heard from prosecutor Mr David Elliott that 62-year-old widow Harpal Kaur of Oakley Avenue, Tipton had saved up to have new windows and doors fitted at her home in Spring 2011.

He said that she had heard Central Windows advertise on Raaj FM, and called them for a quote. The family received a written quotation for £3,500, and the work was carried out over three days in June 2011.

Mr Elliott said: "It was around three or four weeks later that they started to encounter problems with the windows." Condensation had appeared inbetween the glass panes in the bedroom window and in the kitchen. There was also a leak above a bay window.

Mr Elliott said the family rang Central Windows to complain about the work, and bosses promised to come and fix it several times but no one turned up.

The court heard the repairs have still not been carried out.

In a witness statement read out in court, Mrs Kaur said that the situation had been "extremely stressful" and that she felt "conned" by the company. She also said she had chosen Central Windows not only because they were local but because she thought they were FENSA and Glass and Glazing Federation registered.

Defending, Mrs Helen Penning said Singh of Borwick Avenue, West Bromwich had previously owned a company that had been FENSA registered and he was of the opinion it was just a formality to get registered with his new firm. She said he had "jumped the gun" in getting his paperwork and business cards printed.

Magistrates ordered the company to pay £3,500 in compensation to Mrs Kaur and £3,246.19 in costs. Singh was also ordered to complete 175 hours of unpaid work.