THE directors of two Blaenau Gwent-based electrical companies who claimed to be members of a national watchdog have been fined more than £12,000 following an investigation by Torfaen trading standards.

Jason Roberts, 36, of Abertillery Road, Blaina, and Carl Jenkins, 37, of Alma Street, Abertillery, had used the logo of the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) without permission.

Both men had been directors of A Grace Electrics Ltd in Abertillery when they breached the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 act

On October 30 at Cwmbran Magistrates Court, they pleaded guilty to using the logo on its vehicle, and in an advertisement, when it was not authorised to do so between June 20 and November 8, 2016.

The firm had been members of the NICEIC but had their membership cancelled after ignoring a consumer complaint.

Mr Jenkins also pleaded guilty to not using reasonable care or skill during their work, and for not issuing cancellation rights to their customers.

The company directors were ordered to pay £2,625, as well as £960.99 council costs, and £170 victim surcharge - totalling £3,755.99.

Mr Roberts, was ordered to pay £1,500 and a £170 victim surcharge, while Mr Jenkins was ordered to pay £2,600 and victim surcharge of £170.

The court also heard that Mr Jenkins went on to set up another company in Abertillery, C Jenkins Electrics Ltd, and continued to lie of his affiliation with the NICEIC between November 8 2016 and August 1, 2017.

The council’s logo was used while the firm responded to potential contracts on Mybuilder.com, a website where traders apply for jobs consumers want doing.

Mr Jenkins had also stated on the site that the company had been trading for three years when it had been set up in September 2016.

He pleaded guilty to using the logo without authorisation and falsely stating that the company had been trading for three years.

The company was ordered to pay £2,250 costs, council costs of £771.03, and a victim surcharge of £170 – a grand sum of £3,191.03

Mr Jenkins was also ordered to pay £1,500.

Cllr Fiona Cross, the executive member with responsibility for public protection at Torfaen council, said: “Trade associations such as the NICEIC offer peace of mind to customers so it is absolutely right that businesses that fraudulently claim membership of these organisations are investigated and prosecuted.

“In this case the directors of these companies not only fraudulently claimed membership but also treated their customers illegally too, so this is a fantastic result.

“If residents have any doubts over a company claiming to be a member of a trade organisation then I would urge them to ask for a membership numbers and relevant paperwork, and check with the organisations directly.”

Contact the trading standards team on 01633 647623 or email trading.standards@torfaen.gov.uk.