A CAR dealer that admitted to supplying an unsafe vehicle to a Monmouthshire family has been prosecuted.

An investigation by Monmouthshire’s trading standards officer’s led to the prosecution of the Aberdare-based One Direction Cars Ltd.

The firm admitted to supplying an unsafe vehicle to a Monmouthshire family in 2014 and pleaded guilty to three offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

An expert for trading standards found that the vehicle was in a dangerous and unroadworthy condition and that structural and mechanical corrosion potentially placed the whole family at risk of accident or injury.

Newport Magistrates' Court fined One Direction Cars Ltd £500 for each offence and awarded Monmouthshire County Council £2,200 in costs and the family £900 compensation.

Councillor Giles Howard, cabinet member with responsibility for public protection, said: “Ironically, there was only one direction this car should have been going – the scrap yard.

"This case shows the vital work of trading standards officers to protect the public. They must continue to be able to do despite the resource issues faced in the public sector.”

Gareth Walters, trading standards team leader at the local authority added: “Monmouthshire’s trading standards service will always prioritise issues that concern consumer safety and matters that affect the economic growth of legitimate business.”

We originally mistakenly posted an image of the car dealer Aberdare Ford on this story. We recognise that Aberdare Ford is a reputable car dealership and was not involved in any way with this case. Its image was uploaded in error for which we apologise unreservedly.