The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has refused an application for a consumer credit licence from a motor dealer in Hereford.

Patrick John Evans, trading as Patrick Evans Commercials, was refused a consumer credit licence on the basis that he had numerous convictions including car theft, theft from a vehicle, burglary, obtaining property by deception, handling stolen goods, and supplying goods with false trade descriptions. Evans was found by the adjudicator to have given false or misleading information to the OFT, by failing to declare details of his convictions, an offence under the Consumer Credit Act.

An adjudicator therefore decided that the applicant was not fit to hold a consumer credit licence and accordingly the licence was refused.

In considering fitness, the OFT takes into account a number of factors carried on by the business or anyone involved in running the business including:

  • any offence or conviction of violence or dishonesty
  • failure to comply with the provisions of the Consumer Credit Act or other consumer protection legislation
  • consumer complaints
  • evidence of unfair business practice
  • evidence of discrimination on grounds of sex, colour, race or ethnic/national origin.

    Christine Wade, director of Consumer Regulation Enforcement, says: “This individual has committed a string of serious offences ranging from persistent theft to applying false trade descriptions. Due to this pattern of criminal behaviour it is not appropriate for this individual to be allowed to supply credit services to the public.”