Helston Trader Sentenced for Misleading Customers and Ordered to Pay Over £6,000

A man who posed as a legitimate tree surgeon in Helston has been sentenced after misleading residents and pressuring them into agreeing to work without proper legal protections.

Cold-Calling and Deception

On Wednesday 23rd July, Danny Alan Hughes, trading as Southwest Tree Care, appeared at Truro Magistrates’ Court where he was sentenced for three Unfair Trading offences and one offence of Fraud. The 28-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to all charges.

The case followed a series of complaints made to Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team in May and June 2024. Residents in the Helston area reported that Danny had cold-called at their properties offering gardening and tree cutting services.

According to the court, Danny falsely claimed he had been working at neighbouring properties and said he had been referred by them. This misled residents into believing he was a trusted contractor.

Denied Their Right to Cancel

Danny failed to provide customers with the legally required cancellation information, which meant they were denied time to consider whether they wanted the work done. He also tricked them into signing documents under false pretences.

In one instance, customers were asked to sign what Danny described as a waste transfer note. In reality, the document was a legal waiver allowing him to start work immediately, bypassing their right to a cooling-off period.

The court also heard that Danny had previous convictions for similar offences at North and East Devon Magistrates’ Court.

Sentence and Costs

Danny was handed a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to pay compensation totalling £2,140 to two customers, along with a £150 victim surcharge. Cornwall Council was awarded full costs of £3,910.30.

In total, Danny must now pay more than £6,000 in compensation and court-related costs.

Warning to Other Traders

Councillor Thalia Marrington, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for Community Wellbeing and Public Health, said:

“This manipulative individual deliberately deceived his customers and tricked them into waiving their right to cancel.
No traders should pressurise or mislead customers in this way.
I’m pleased that the victims in this case are being compensated and hope this prosecution serves as a warning to others that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated in Cornwall.”