Company fined for selling defective motorcycle helmets

A vehicle parts company and one of its directors have been handed a major fine after being convicted of selling unsafe motorcycle helmets, after one shattered in a road traffic accident.

Roydon Wiggins, a director of  Hough Mill Developments, which trades as Quads Inn, based in Nantwich, was fined £1,200 with £25,000 costs after being convicted of three counts of selling defective helmets.

The company was also convicted of three counts of selling the same unsafe goods. They were fined a total of £15,000 for the offences and £25,000 in costs.

The goods were brought to Cheshire East Council’s attention by a consumer after she was involved in a low speed road traffic accident while wearing one of Hough Mill’s products as she drove her motor scooter. The helmet shattered on impact.

The model of the helmet involved in the accident was reported to the council’s trading standards team, which led to an investigation. The helmets have now been recalled and taken off the market.

Cllr Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council cabinet member with responsibility for trading standards, said: “These convictions send out a very strong message that there will always be zero tolerance when it comes to endangering public safety.

“I commend the trading standards team for their diligence in bringing this man to justice, and I am only thankful that the incident, which alerted us to this, did not result in a fatality.”