Warning to rogue traders
Trading standards bosses insist they will take firm action against rogue traders after a trusted travel agent who ripped off loyal customers was convicted in court.
Fourteen families were left without holidays after Lisa Akenhead, 49, of Holiday TVL, also known as Safari Travel, in Station Road, Hetton, took more than £32,000 without booking their trips.
Police and trading standards officers at Sunderland City Council were informed at the start of last year, with Akenhead pleading guilty to 15 fraud offences at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday.
Akenhead, of Lambton Drive, Hetton, admitted using customers’ cash to keep the established family business afloat as it struggled against competition from High Street giants.
Many of the 14 customers were regular clients at the agency after it had been built up by her father.
The council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, Councillor Amy Wilson, said: “Trading standards work closely with the police to take appropriate action against any business that has failed to fulfil its legal responsibilities toward customers.”
“We welcome this successful prosecution of one such business and hope that all those people affected will have their money returned to them as soon as possible.”
Akenhead was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with rehabilitation requirements.
The court heard that the family home had been sold to pay back customers, with £27,216 recovered so far.
Vic Laffey, defending said Akenhead’s father had taken great pride in the busines he built up and added: “She was ashamed of the fact she was the person who would be there at the end, when it ran aground.
“It led to her making very poor decisions in the hope she could continue to keep the whole thing moving. She is ashamed of what she has done. It has had a dramatic effect upon her.”
Anyone with trading standards complaints can ring 03454 04 05 06 from 9pm-5pm Mondays-Fridays.