Rogue car dealer who co-ran £100,000 scam has jail appeal rejected

A rogue car dealer's appeal against his jail sentence for co-running a £100,000 scam selling hundreds of cars that had been written off by insurance companies has been rejected at the Court of Appeal.
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Lucien Munn, 43, of Copthorne, was jailed for three years after he and a colleague Linda Atrell, of East Grinstead, falsified service histories of write-offs which they advertised via Autotrader and Gumtree, said West Sussex County Council.

They were sentenced at Hove Crown Court on July 31 2015 after being found guilty of charges under the Fraud Act, Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

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Munn has now had his appeal against his jail sentence rejected by thre Court of Appeal judges at the Royal Courts of Justice.

West Sussex County Council’s Trading Standards team was asked to assist the Full Court during the hearing.

A council spokesman said the pair were caught after months of investigations from its team.

The pair were advertising and selling hundreds of cars that had been written off by insurance companies via Autotrader and Gumtree.

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They then sold these vehicles on, often falsifying service histories, to unsuspecting customers.

David Barling, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards, said: “This court ruling is a great result not just for Trading Standards, but more importantly for consumers whose lives were put at risk by the deplorable actions of these rogue car dealers.”

Lord Justice Hamblen indicated that West Sussex Trading Standards’ barrister had helped assist the Court with written submissions.

David added: “Our Trading Standards team have once again done a fantastic job. This ruling sends out a very strong message that if you engage in fraudulent actions, you will be caught and prosecuted.”

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Richard Sargeant, Trading Standards Team Manager, said: “Deceiving the public in the manner these two did is unacceptable. We would encourage consumers looking for a reputable trader to use the Buy with Confidence scheme, members of which have been audited and approved by Trading Standards.”

If you are concerned that you, a friend or relative have been a victim of a rogue trader, contact Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 03454 040506 or report details online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/TSreport.

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