05/06/2013
Other News In Brief
Car Dealer Fined For Misleading Customer
A Carrickfergus car dealer has been fined after failing to inform a buyer that a car she bought from him had been a category C insurance write-off.
Blair Buchanan, who trades under Blair Buchanan Car Sales at Craigs Road, Carrickfergus, pleaded guilty and was fined £300 at Belfast Magistrates’ Court.
The case was brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment following a consumer complaint.
The complainant purchased a Vauxhall Meriva car from Mr Buchanan in March 2011, but when she tried to trade it she found the vehicle had been previously recorded as a category C insurance loss.
The consumer was not informed of this fact at any stage of her dealings with Mr Buchanan and stated that if she had been told she wouldn’t have bought the car.
Lisa Mallon of the Trading Standards Service said: "All second hand car dealers must ensure that they give consumers all the information needed to make an informed decision before a sale. Important information must not be hidden or omitted."
Pair Convicted Over Benefit Fraud
Two people have been convicted at Downpatrick Magistrate’s Court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Patrycja Samsel (26) of Demesne Crescent, Downpatrick claimed Housing Benefit totalling £2,841 while failing to declare employment.
She was fined £100 and ordered to pay court costs of £28.
Gavin Doyle (36) of Lindisfarne Road, Downpatrick, claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,519 while failing to declare employment.
He was fined £440 and ordered to pay court costs of £40.
Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Haulage Company Fined For Overweight Offences
A Co. Armagh haulage company has been fined a total of £834 at Antrim Magistrates’ Court after it was found to be overweight by 4,420kg.
The charges followed an investigation by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) into the operation of vehicles operated by Derrys Limited, Teaguy Road, Annaghmore.
On 17 April 2012, DVA Enforcement Officers directed an articulated goods vehicle, which was owned and operated by Derrys Limited, to the Department’s Dynamic Axle Weighbridge at Toome.
On weighing the vehicle it was found to be overweight by 4,420 Kgs (11.0%) in excess of its legal gross train weight of 40,000 Kgs, overweight in excess of its gross vehicle weight by 2330 Kgs (13.7%), overweight on axle 2 by 910 Kgs (8.6%), and overweight on the combination of axles 3, 4 and 5 by 1090 Kgs (4.5%).
The Company was fined £200 on each of the four offences with court costs of £19 and an Offender Levy of £15 also administered.
Farmer Convicted At Antrim Court
A farmer from Crumlin has been convicted at Antrim Magistrates' Court on three charges under Cattle Identification regulations.
Mr James Steele, Loughview Road, Aldergrove, pleaded guilty and was fined £1,040 plus £25 costs and £15 offenders Levy.
He had failed to notify the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the birth of cattle.
The breaches were discovered at a cattle identification inspection carried out by DARD Inspectors.
(IT/CD)
A Carrickfergus car dealer has been fined after failing to inform a buyer that a car she bought from him had been a category C insurance write-off.
Blair Buchanan, who trades under Blair Buchanan Car Sales at Craigs Road, Carrickfergus, pleaded guilty and was fined £300 at Belfast Magistrates’ Court.
The case was brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment following a consumer complaint.
The complainant purchased a Vauxhall Meriva car from Mr Buchanan in March 2011, but when she tried to trade it she found the vehicle had been previously recorded as a category C insurance loss.
The consumer was not informed of this fact at any stage of her dealings with Mr Buchanan and stated that if she had been told she wouldn’t have bought the car.
Lisa Mallon of the Trading Standards Service said: "All second hand car dealers must ensure that they give consumers all the information needed to make an informed decision before a sale. Important information must not be hidden or omitted."
Pair Convicted Over Benefit Fraud
Two people have been convicted at Downpatrick Magistrate’s Court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Patrycja Samsel (26) of Demesne Crescent, Downpatrick claimed Housing Benefit totalling £2,841 while failing to declare employment.
She was fined £100 and ordered to pay court costs of £28.
Gavin Doyle (36) of Lindisfarne Road, Downpatrick, claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,519 while failing to declare employment.
He was fined £440 and ordered to pay court costs of £40.
Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Haulage Company Fined For Overweight Offences
A Co. Armagh haulage company has been fined a total of £834 at Antrim Magistrates’ Court after it was found to be overweight by 4,420kg.
The charges followed an investigation by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) into the operation of vehicles operated by Derrys Limited, Teaguy Road, Annaghmore.
On 17 April 2012, DVA Enforcement Officers directed an articulated goods vehicle, which was owned and operated by Derrys Limited, to the Department’s Dynamic Axle Weighbridge at Toome.
On weighing the vehicle it was found to be overweight by 4,420 Kgs (11.0%) in excess of its legal gross train weight of 40,000 Kgs, overweight in excess of its gross vehicle weight by 2330 Kgs (13.7%), overweight on axle 2 by 910 Kgs (8.6%), and overweight on the combination of axles 3, 4 and 5 by 1090 Kgs (4.5%).
The Company was fined £200 on each of the four offences with court costs of £19 and an Offender Levy of £15 also administered.
Farmer Convicted At Antrim Court
A farmer from Crumlin has been convicted at Antrim Magistrates' Court on three charges under Cattle Identification regulations.
Mr James Steele, Loughview Road, Aldergrove, pleaded guilty and was fined £1,040 plus £25 costs and £15 offenders Levy.
He had failed to notify the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the birth of cattle.
The breaches were discovered at a cattle identification inspection carried out by DARD Inspectors.
(IT/CD)
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11 August 2010
Street Drinkers Pay The Cost
Five people have been fined at Belfast Magistrates Court for drinking alcohol in public. Tyrone McCann, from Richmond Avenue in Newtownabbey, was fined £50 and ordered to pay costs of £66 after he was detected drinking alcohol at Suffolk Road in west Belfast on January 16.
Street Drinkers Pay The Cost
Five people have been fined at Belfast Magistrates Court for drinking alcohol in public. Tyrone McCann, from Richmond Avenue in Newtownabbey, was fined £50 and ordered to pay costs of £66 after he was detected drinking alcohol at Suffolk Road in west Belfast on January 16.
21 May 2014
Two Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
Two people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. Gerard Browne, 29, of Summerhill Drive, Belfast was given 12 months probation and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Incapacity Benefit totalling £377.
Two Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
Two people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. Gerard Browne, 29, of Summerhill Drive, Belfast was given 12 months probation and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Incapacity Benefit totalling £377.
10 August 2011
Dogs & Cigarette Sales Lead To Court
Belfast City Council has been busy enforcing legislation on a variety of matters, ranging from shopkeepers selling tobacco to underage customers to dog owners running foul of the law.
Dogs & Cigarette Sales Lead To Court
Belfast City Council has been busy enforcing legislation on a variety of matters, ranging from shopkeepers selling tobacco to underage customers to dog owners running foul of the law.
03 December 2019
Car Trader Fined For Selling Clocked Car
A Belfast car dealer now faces a fine of £2,000 after selling a clocked car with almost double the mileage than advertised while claiming to be a private seller.
Car Trader Fined For Selling Clocked Car
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04 September 2007
County Down Car Dealer Fined For Clocking Car
A car dealer from Newry Road, Kilkeel, was fined £1,250 at Newry Magistrate's Court yesterday, for selling a 'clocked' car.

 One charge was brought under the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968 and a separate charge under the Fair Trading Act, 1973.
County Down Car Dealer Fined For Clocking Car
A car dealer from Newry Road, Kilkeel, was fined £1,250 at Newry Magistrate's Court yesterday, for selling a 'clocked' car.

 One charge was brought under the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968 and a separate charge under the Fair Trading Act, 1973.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.