The boss of a caravan hire business has been found guilty of fraud and ordered to hand money back to customers.
Clive Denton, the owner of Suntime Caravan Hire in Lincoln, was found guilty of eight counts of fraud at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Monday, October 3.
Lincolnshire County Council said Denton, who is 75, and lives in Millfield Avenue, Saxilby, was investigated following complaints from a number of customers about his company Suntime Caravan Hire.
It said that in 2018 Denton took money to supply caravans to people attending the ‘New Wine’ festival in Peterborough the following year.
Complaints started coming in to Lincolnshire Trading Standards in July 2019 when customers said they were unable to get in touch with Denton prior to the event.
By the time of the festival, six customers said they were still waiting for their caravans and had to make last minute alternative arrangements.
The council said one customer did receive their caravan from Suntime, but it was in a poor condition, and subsequently tipped over, taking the door off.
The council said Denton failed to attend a Trading Standards interview. It said that in court he pleaded not guilty to eight counts of fraud for failing to provide the caravans and for providing one caravan that did not match the description.
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It said Denton tried to claim a friend was running the business at the time, who had run off with his money – contradicting customers who said they had spoken with Denton directly.
Denton was found guilty of all eight charges and ordered to pay full compensation of £2,888.54, plus £800 costs. He was also handed a conditional discharge for 24 months.
Senior Trading Standards officer Kirsty Toyne, who investigated the case, said: “These customers did not get what they paid for, at all, and I’m glad that they now have justice and will be getting their money back.
“Our role as Trading Standards is to work with businesses, to help them make sure they’re following all the relevant legislation and being fair to their customers.
“We’re also here to protect consumers against unscrupulous businesses like this one from taking their money and not delivering on their promises.”
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