A man has been sentenced for ‘fronting’ a business for a disqualified director.
Stockport Council Trading Standards Service began an investigation into the activities of The Cheshire Window Outlet Limited after numerous complaints were received from consumers that they had ordered and paid up-front for windows and doors, only for the goods never to be supplied and fitted.
Mark Tibbott, 44, from Wythenshawe, was the named sole director of The Cheshire Window Outlet Limited whose registered office address was on Hall Moss Lane, Bramhall, Stockport.
However, enquiries by the Trading Standards team at Stockport Council, revealed that Tibbott was the director only in name and in fact the business was run and managed by Steven Anthony Wright, who was disqualified from being a company director.
Tibbott was charged with two offences of aiding and abetting a disqualified director to run a limited company in contravention of a director disqualification order.
Tibbott initially failed to appear at several hearings at Manchester Crown Court at Minshull Street and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He subsequently handed himself in after a Greater Manchester Police appeal and appeared at a hearing at Manchester Crown Court in July 2023, pleading guilty to the offences.
At sentencing, on April 26 this year, the Judge, Recorder Cleeve, said that although Tibbott had not benefited financially, his actions had facilitated Steven Anthony Wright to act as a director whilst he was banned.
This had allowed Wright to take deposits for work which was not started or certified.
The Judge said that only a custodial sentence could be justified but allowed credit for an early guilty plea. She took into consideration that Tibbott had spent seven weeks on remand and had since been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Tibbott was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment for each offence, to run concurrently, suspended for one year. He was also ordered to complete rehabilitation activity and to pay the statutory surcharge.
The Judge was also told the council’s Trading Standards team had brought proceedings against Steven Anthony Wright and his wife Louise Wright, who was previously listed on Companies House as ‘the person with significant control’ of The Cheshire Window Outlet Limited.
The court was told that Mr and Mrs Wright have failed to appear at several hearings at Manchester Crown Court and are believed to be living abroad.
