AN unqualified electrician who carried out work at homes across Kidderminster ripping off customers has been found guilty of fraud.

John Robinson, the director of Smart Safe Electrical Limited, falsely advertised using the City & Guilds logo and claimed to be a ‘certified electrician’ despite not having the requisite qualifications.

He was sentenced to an 18-month community order, with 30 rehabilitation activity days and 200 hours of unpaid work, after pleading guilty to a case brought by Worcestershire Trading Standards.

Mr Robinson was also ordered to pay compensation to his victims and a contribution towards prosecution costs.

The court heard how Smart Safe Electrical Limited, of Beoley Road East in Redditch, was found to have carried out electrical work at properties in Kidderminster whilst failing to advise homeowners it was not able to self-certify that its work was safe and met building regulations.

The company was also found to have used false addresses on paperwork and added an additional cost, claiming it was for VAT when the company was not registered to pay it.

Investigations also found Mr Robinson had fraudulently obtained payment services from a mobile credit card machine supplier using a forged trade body membership card.

Councillor Karen May, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “The work done by our Trading Standards Officers to protect Worcestershire consumers should not be understated.

“The trading activities of this company were wholly fraudulent and required extensive investigations to uncover.

"The in-depth investigation carried out in this case highlights the complex nature of the work they undertake.

“Our Trading Standards Officers actively investigate criminal complaints such as this and will continue to do so to protect the public from this type of fraudulent business activity.”

An order was also made for Mr Robinson's disqualification as a company director.