Bad press concerning the car repair industry continues with the jailing of a cowboy mechanic from Surrey who charged a customer almost £300 for repairs not carried out.

Adrian Nye, 34, who traded as Godalming Car Care, was prosecuted by Surrey Trading Standards for two offences under the Trades Descriptions Act, after invoicing teacher Angela Foreman £288.62 for a new fuel pump on her Alfa Romeo. When the car broke down less than 100 miles later, inspections by the AA and trading standards officers revealed that the vehicle’s fuel pump had not been touched.

Sentencing Nye to four months’ imprisonment, judge Addison at Guildford Crown Court said: “There are far too many problems in the car servicing sector.”

Nye had denied the offences, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity. The court was told he had a previous conviction from 2001.