Car dealer from Sandwell pleads guilty to fraud and selling dangerous vehicle

Paul Hale, of Rowley Regis, traded as Koolkustoms in Halesowen and appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday over the offences.

He pleaded guilty to two acts of fraud and one count of selling a dangerous vehicle with defective brakes and wheels that could have become detached while the vehicle was in motion.

The case came to light after a person had used the vehicle on a day trip and one of the front tyres had blown. After taking it to a local garage, the consumer was advised the vehicle had major faults.

It was reported to Dudley Trading Standards who asked an independent vehicle expert to assess the scale of the problem. The expert found it "difficult to believe that work of such a low standard was carried out by a professional company specialising in camper van conversions”.

The vehicle expert also reported that wheel bolts were too short making it ‘extremely likely’ that a wheel would become detached whilst in motion. There was excessive corrosion in a large number of areas, a defective horn and an unsecured gas cylinder fitted as part of the conversion.

Hale, of Avenue Road in Rowley Regis, admitted fraudulently stating that the vehicle had undergone a professional refurbishment and claiming that the sale was a "private sale" to make a gain for himself and avoid having to refund money to the consumer.

Councillor Ian Bevan, cabinet member responsible for trading standards at Dudley Council, said: "This prosecution shows that Dudley Trading Standards will not tolerate traders who evade their responsibilities and risk people’s lives by putting dangerous vehicles on the road.

"Thanks to the diligence of the garage, the major faults on this vehicle were spotted and thankfully no one was injured."

The sentencing hearing will take place at Wolverhampton Crown Court on December 21.