A gardener who lied about being a member of an approved traders’ scheme has been ordered to carry out unpaid work and pay out more than £2,500.

Danny Riley, trading as Bill and Ben The Garden Men, The Landscape Garden  Company, The Landscape Men Limited and Outdoor Landscape Services Limited, claimed to be part of a landscaping and paving approved contractors’ scheme when he wasn’t a member.

The court heard how Riley, of Redhill Avenue, Wombourne, carried out work for a Stourbridge resident who was left dissatisfied by his work and complained to trading standards. Officers also discovered he was making the false claim on his website as well as further false claim of membership of another approved contractors’ scheme.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to three offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations at Dudley Magistrates Court on May 26.

Riley was sentenced to a 12 month community order, ordered to carry out 220 hours of unpaid work and to repay the customer £2,500 and costs to Dudley Council of £1,048. Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said:

“People must be able to make informed decisions about which contractor to use based on honest and accurate details being provided, which is why misleading customers in this way is a criminal offence which causes misery to the customer when the work turns out to be substandard.”  

Dudley Trading Standards in partnership with Age UK promotes the Fix a Home list of local approved traders who provide services of a high standard at a fair cost. Copies are available online.