Trader John Gaile of Glebe Road, Castlerock, was yesterday (1 October 2008) fined a total of £3,400 plus £579 costs at Bangor Magistrates Court, for misdescribing goods.

In a case brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr Gaile was found guilty on two charges under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, and one charge under the Consumer Protection (NI) Order 1987.

On 16 February 2007 Mr Gaile advertised a quantity of new 'Bangor Blue' roof slates in a local newspaper, for sale at £5,500. A customer purchased the slates believing them, in good faith, to be genuine Bangor Blues.

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Upon later inspection, the customer suspected that the slates were not authentic Bangor Blues, and complained to the Trading Standards Service (TSS).

The subsequent investigation by TSS revealed that the slates were not in fact Bangor Blues, but an inferior quality slate. Furthermore the customer had been charged an extra £962.50 VAT, in addition to the advertised price.

Bronagh Deery, Trading Standards Area Inspector said: "It is imperative that, when it comes to describing goods businesses are open and honest in their dealings with consumers. Additionally, the price given to the consumer must include VAT and any other non-optional charges."

(PR/JM)