A BROMSGROVE-based company and its director have had their appeals against conviction dismissed.

Richard Anthony Cooper, of Barnt Green, and Alpine Motorhome Ltd of Money Lane in Bromsgrove, were found guilty of failing to declare a motorhome they were selling had been a category C insurance write-off.

Mr Cooper was also found guilty of supplying a forged document to cover up the initial offence.

Both were convicted under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, the Fraud Act 2006 and the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 at Redditch Magistrates Court, but Mr Cooper and his company elected to appeal against the verdict.

The 48-year-old and his firm had their appeals dismissed following a two day hearing at Hereford Crown Court which ended on Wednesday, May 18.

In dismissing the appeal against conviction, the judge said that the witnesses for the prosecution had been impressive and clear, and concluded that Mr Cooper had known the vehicle had previously been a category C write-off.

The original prosecution brought by Worcestershire County Council followed an investigation by the Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) Trading Standards team into the sale of the motorhome.

Mr Cooper was ordered to pay further costs of £4,142 in addition to the initial fines, costs and compensation previously, bringing his total financial penalty to £20,798.87.

Head of WRS Simon Wilkes said: “This case highlights the high quality work done by our Trading Standards Officers. The work of our Trading Standards team is vital in ensuring that consumers are protected from unscrupulous and rogue businesses.

“Our officers regularly investigate allegations of fraudulent activity that go well beyond regulatory breaches and, as this case shows, work tirelessly to ensure justice for the innocent victims of crime.

“The action of the judge in dismissing this appeal shows how seriously such matters are viewed.”

The crown court said that the suspended sentence imposed by the magistrates' court was correct, but reduced Cooper's 52-week suspended sentence to 26 weeks. The Director's Disqualification was also removed.