A man was fined £400 after admitting selling unroadworthy cars.

Jason Hughes, of Ploughmans Lane, Braintree, admitted two counts of selling motor vehicles in an unroadworthy condition on October 31, when he appeared at Witham Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The court heard how Hughes, 32, was given a warning by police officers accompanied by trading standards officers after they spotted an unroadworthy car he had for sale on October, 24, 2002, while carrying out spot checks.

Natasha Taylor, prosecuting, said they contacted Hughes and he was informed in person of trading standards legislation.

Cars being sold by Hughes were then seen parked in Lakeside Industrial Estate, Chapel Hill, Braintree, nearly a week later and found to have a number of defects by the vehicle inspectorate, the court heard.

Magistrates were told a G-registration Vauxhall Cavalier had under-inflated tyres, a rear view mirror missing, a damaged front windscreen and fracture to the load bearing part of the vehicle.

The second car, a Ford Fiesta, had serious damage to a seatbelt, a loose battery which was likely to fall out and an incomplete exhaust where fumes were likely to enter the car.

Joanne Eley, mitigating, said Hughes found it hard to understand the paperwork given to him.

She said: "He thought he was doing nothing wrong. He would sell a motor vehicle and take a motor vehicle in part exchange. Those vehicles he had taken were in part exchange.

"He thought the defects were obvious so he just advertised them for sale."

She added: "He should have had a prominent notice in the vehicle informing any prospective purchaser of defects."

Chairman of the magistrates, Roy Pipe, also ordered Hughes to pay £200 costs.

Published Monday, May 26, 2003

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