THREE rogue traders have been convicted of mis-selling alarms to elderly people across the borough.
The case was brought against David Diaz, Ludovic Black and Gary McVey, by Hillingdon Council.
The men owned a company called SAS Fire and Security Systems.
The six-week case against the men ended on Thursday, May 24, when the jury unanimously convicted the trio of one count each of engaging in unfair commercial practices.
The court heard that SAS salesmen sold burglar alarms by ‘cold calling’ potential buyers and persuading them to allow an employee to visit and offer an alarm for £1 or even free of charge.
But during the visit it would transpire that, to get the so-called free alarm, it was necessary to spend thousands of pounds on a monitoring contract.
Hillingdon Council leader, Councillor Ray Puddifoot, said: “Our hard work has paid off and we got the result in court that we were looking for.
“This was a lengthy and challenging investigation by our trading standards officers that involved more than 100 witnesses, many of whom were elderly.
“These men had been targeting people across the country, and I am very proud to say that when it came to the crunch it was Hillingdon Council that delivered the case to court.
“We are pleased that these men were found guilty and we will continue to fight against rogue traders trying to take advantage of residents.”
Uxbridge man Michael Heavens, aged 84, who appeared in court to give evidence because he had been targeted by the crooks, has praised the council for their work in helping catch them.
Mr Heavens said: “I had one salesman come round my house quoting me £15,000 for the alarm system.
“I had told him I needed to think about it and to come back the next day but later that day a council officer came to tell me he had been arrested and they had found my address in his van.
“So luckily I was saved from ever making a decision about the alarm.”
Diaz, 28, of Glasgow; Black, 31, of Cheshire; and McVey, 30, of Cheshire, are due to be sentenced later this month. The maximum penalty is two years in jail and an unlimited fine.
