A ROGUE gardener has been prosecuted by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards Team for a number of offences.

Craig Bennett, from Nantyglo, was guilty of two charges at Newport Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 14 under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

The 24-year-old, who was trading as Elite tree Care, admitted engaging in an "aggressive commercial practice" as a result of forcing a consumer from Penpedairheol to enter into a contract by using undue influence and failing to give a consumer notice of their right to cancel the contract within 14 days.

In March 2017, Bennett approached the consumer while out in her garden and, following a discussion, informed the resident that his business Elite Tree Care was able to carry out the work she required immediately.

A price of £1,000 was then agreed to remove the front lawn, tidy, replace with topsoil and cover with stones.

However, the consumer was concerned about the quality of work after a pile of topsoil was obstructing her car from leaving the driveway. The following day, Bennett returned and informed the customer that the price had now risen to £3,350 and he required payment for the remaining £2,350 in order to carry out the work.

The consumer said she felt intimidated and felt compelled to agree.

The incident was not reported to Trading Standards at the time, but when Bennett returned in November 2017 to work in the back garden, the consumer was encouraged to report the matter with the support of a friend.

Bennett was fined £1,440, ordered to pay costs to Trading Standards of £1,563.25 and compensation of £2,010.47.

Cllr Eluned Stenner, who is the cabinet member with responsibility for Trading Standards said: “I am pleased that Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards Team was able to achieve a positive result on behalf of this consumer, who was left feeling intimidated as a result of this cold calling incident. Craig Bennett prayed on this person’s vulnerability and failed to inform the resident of her consumer rights”.

She added: “Whenever we receive evidence of this type we will always seek to prosecute to ensure that we clamp down on such callous behaviour."