A Stockport businessman has been banned from being a director for a further 10 years after he left customers thousands of pounds out of pocket after taking payments for doors and windows he failed to supply.
At a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing held at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on August 11, Steven Wright (pictured), formerly connected to The Cheshire Window Outlet Ltd, was made the subject of a Confiscation Order totalling £9,692.33.
Wright was ordered to repay the proceeds of his criminal activity following action by Stockport Council’s Trading Standards team.
The court ordered that £5,703.66 of this amount be paid in compensation to a victim. The Confiscation Order must be paid within three months. The court also awarded prosecution costs of £7,200, which Wright must repay at a rate of £300 per month.
Wright had previously been convicted of fraud and offences relating to breaches of two separate director disqualification orders after operating a double-glazing business while disqualified from acting as a company director. Customers paid deposits for doors and windows that were never supplied.
Following the offences, Wright left the UK and was later arrested in the United States before being returned to the UK.
In February, he appeared before Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, where he was sentenced for the fraud offence and breach of bail.
He was also disqualified from acting as a company director for a further 10 years. The disqualification means that Wright cannot be a company director or involved in the running or management of a limited company.
The latest court hearing focused on recovering the financial benefit gained through Wright’s offending and securing compensation for the victim.
Councillor Dan Oliver said: “This is an excellent result and I am pleased that, following a successful prosecution, the Council’s Trading Standards team has been able to pursue a Proceeds of Crime investigation to recover the financial benefit arising from Mr Wright’s offending.
“Protecting residents and taking action against those who seek to defraud consumers remains a priority. We will continue to use all appropriate powers available to us to hold offenders to account and help secure justice for victims.”
