Used car dealer jailed for 12 months

A Lincolnshire second hand car dealer has been jailed for 12 months at Lincoln Crown Court on three different charges.

Second hand car dealer Mark Drury, of Garfield House, 65 Garfitts Lane, Boston, was jailed for supplying an unsafe car, perverting the course of justice by pretending to be Trading Standards officer and attempting to remove evidence.

In August 2017, a trading standards investigation was launched after Drury sold Norfolk resident, Mrs Woodlow, a ‘dangerous’ used car.

After picking up the car and making her way home to Norfolk, Woodlow noticed a banging noise coming from the back of the car. She took it to her local garage, where mechanics found both the prop shaft and both drive shafts had been removed. Mechanics then informed Lincolnshire Trading Standards.

Trading Standards then seized the car and ordered it to remain at the garage in Norfolk, in order to undergo further safety tests.

However, a day later Drury arrived in Norfolk, pretended to be the Trading Standards officer in charge and tried to tow the car away. Savvy staff at the garage realised what was going on, they blocked the vehicle in, and Drury ran off.

“The car was unroadworthy and in a dangerous condition when sold,” said vehicle expert, Mark Brown, who gave evidence at the case. “The rear brakes are worn out and incorrectly assembled, the prop and drive shafts had been removed and there was practically nothing holding the rear wheels on.”

Judge Hirst, who presided over the case, said: “Perverting the course of justice is very serious. Mr Drury knew what he was doing and caused distress to everyone around. Mr Drury is man of very deceptive nature – a dishonest man, who twisted and turned at every opportunity to get out of the situation.”

Sara Barry, head of Trading Standards at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “In Lincolnshire we target our resources against those individuals and businesses that cause the most problems for consumers – this case was no exception. Vehicles which are dangerous and unroadworthy put all our lives at risk. This case should send out a very strong message to rogue traders – we will prosecute you and bring you to justice.”

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