Camper-van conman must pay £192k or face prison sentence

A LLANELLI businessman who conned thousands of pounds out of his customers must pay £192,000 within three months or face two years behind bars.

Berian Paul Lloyd was given the punishment at Swansea Crown Court, under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

It comes after he was sentenced to eight months in prison last December for a catalogue of offences relating to the sale, supply, conversion and restoration of camper vans.

The 50-year-old, of Port y Gar, Bynea, was ordered to pay £192,270 last week, which includes £10,491.74 compensation to his customers for their losses. He was also told he has 12 weeks to settle the bill or go to prison. He will face further prison sentences until he pays up.

Lloyd was the owner of van-conversion company Race Passion/Vdub Passion when he was taken to court in a prosecution led by Carmarthenshire Council after complaints from several of his customers.

He admitted breaking consumer protection rules following lengthy investigations by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Trading Standards team last year.

Carmarthenshire Council’s executive board member for public protection, Councillor Philip Hughes, said: “Lloyd treated his customers very badly.

“I hope the money awarded to his victims will help in some way to compensate them for the ordeal they have been through.

“This is a very clear message to any traders tempted to breach rules designed to protect the public.”