He was given a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years and ordered to pay £10,464 compensation
Craigavon Courthouse(Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)
A hidden car trader has been convicted after advertising and selling vehicles with false mileage readings.
In a prosecution brought by the Department for the Economy ’s Trading Standards Service, Brendan Huston, 46, of Glenbawn Park in Dunmurry, pleaded guilty to four offences under the Fraud Act 2006.
At Craigavon Crown Court on Wednesday, Huston received a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £10,464 compensation.
The investigation followed complaints received by TSS about vehicles advertised with inaccurate mileage readings. Although the seller’s identity was initially unknown, enquiries established that Mr Huston had purchased four vehicles from Wilsons Auctions before reducing the recorded mileage on each vehicle and advertising them for sale through online marketplaces.
Mr Huston operated as a hidden trader, posing as a private seller and using false identities, including the names “Sean” and “Gerard Uistin”, to conceal his trading activities and avoid the legal responsibilities of a motor trader.
One consumer purchased a Hyundai iX35 after seeing it advertised on Gumtree with 88,000 miles recorded. TSS evidence showed that the vehicle had travelled at least 181,998 miles.
A second consumer purchased a Land Rover Discovery advertised on Gumtree under the name “Sean” with 136,000 miles recorded. Evidence showed that the vehicle had previously travelled 192,734 miles.
Mr Huston also advertised and sold a Vauxhall Astra through Facebook Marketplace using the name “Gerard Uistin”. The mileage on that vehicle had been reduced from 146,350 miles to 87,000 miles.
A fourth vehicle, a Toyota Avensis, was advertised on Gumtree with approximately 117,000 miles recorded. Evidence showed that the vehicle had travelled at least 176,285 miles.
Mr Huston failed to attend several interviews arranged by TSS during the investigation.
None of the four consumers were aware that the mileage readings on their vehicles were inaccurate until TSS contacted them. The investigation identified the affected consumers and uncovered a pattern of offending involving multiple vehicles.
Philip McLean of the TSS said: “Consumers rely on accurate information when making significant purchases such as buying a vehicle. Deliberately reducing a vehicle’s mileage is dishonest and can result in consumers paying more than the vehicle is worth.
“Motor traders have a legal responsibility to ensure that information provided to consumers is accurate and complete. Those who attempt to avoid these responsibilities by posing as private sellers or using false identities should expect TSS to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to protecting consumers and taking action against those who seek to profit through misleading trading practices.”
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