THE Vale trading standards team has successfully prosecuted a Barry car trader.

Matthew Burgin, of Dock View Trade Cars, Barry, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing this week after pleading guilty at Newport Crown Court last month to selling a dangerous vehicle to a consumer as well as selling a clocked car to another.

Vale of Glamorgan Council trading standards officers have been working to prosecute the trader since May 2013 when an inspection of the Dock View Trade Cars premises, on Dock View Road in Barry, uncovered a dozen unsafe cars being offered for sale.

Principal Trading Standards Officer at the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Christina Roberts-Kinsey, said: "Of 40 vehicles offered for sale at the time Vale Council officers visited the premises, six were subsequently deemed to be dangerous and a further six to be un-roadworthy by an independent assessor.

"Selling or supplying dangerous vehicles is not acceptable. Our officers work to ensure that adequate mechanical and historical checks are being undertaken by car traders in the county and that all vehicles offered for sale are safe, roadworthy and accurately described.

"Where this is not the case the council’s trading standards team will take all necessary action to remove disreputable traders from the market. By doing so we ensure that consumers who purchase cars in the Vale of Glamorgan can do so with confidence.”

Mr Burgin was given a four month suspended sentence for 2 years. As well as instructed to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, pay compensation of £1,441.99 to a consumer and pay prosecution costs of £13,000.

Following the successful prosecution the Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr Neil Moore, said: “I would like to commend the officers involved in this case.

"Action of this nature by our trading standards team sends a clear message that irresponsible trading will not be tolerated in the Vale of Glamorgan.

"Vale residents should be able to purchase goods, such as second hand cars, with confidence. Our hard working trading standards officers make sure that this is the case.”