Dylan John James warned he faces prison over fraud (From Western Telegraph)

Dylan John James warned he faces prison over fraud

9:39am Wednesday 8th September 2010 in

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A Haverfordwest garage manager who ran a MOT scam and billed customers for work that hadn't been done has been warned he faces prison.

Dylan John James, of Rushacre Farm, Redstone Road, Narberth, was found guilty of nine charges of fraud at Haverfordwest magistrates court yesterday (Tuesday).

Lee Reynolds, prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council, described how James had "deceived his customers."

He said that following complaints, council officers carried out a test purchase on a vehicle and employed experts to ensure it was fit to pass a MOT.

However, after council officer Leanne George took the vehicle to Pope's Garage, she was told it had failed its MOT after an emissions test.

She was told the vehicle had been treated with Forte, an additive used for advanced formula gas treatment.

The council then arranged for fuel to be syphoned from the car and sent away for examination.

There was no trace of any fuel additive.

Mr Reynolds also read out statements from seven other complainants, all claiming James had charged them for vehicle work that either had not been carried out, or was not necessary.

Under cross examination, James, 29, said it was common for the garage to service cars after their MOT test and find faults. He denied ever deceiving a customer.

He had denied all the charges but was found guilty by magistrates.

James, was told to return to court on September 27th for sentencing. He was warned by magistrates the starting point for his sentence was custody.