A double glazing contractor who swindled a customer out of thousands of pounds has been jailed after fleeing to the United States. Steven Wright, 50, and his wife Louise Wright, 45, ran Cheshire Windows Outlet, which took deposits for work that was never carried out.
The couple were convicted in their absence at Minshull Street Crown Court following an investigation by Stockport Council's Trading Standards. They are believed to be living in Florida and face arrest if they return to the UK.
Samuel Bardsley paid a 40% deposit of £4,000 for new windows and doors in October 2020, but after months of delays and excuses, the work was never started. The windows had not even been ordered five months after the payment.
Steven Wright was previously banned twice from being a company director. He was found guilty of fraud and acting in contravention of a disqualification order. Louise Wright was convicted of assisting her husband in contravention of a disqualification order.
Judge Jenny Lester-Ashworth said she would not sentence the pair in their absence due to lack of information, but warned they would be arrested upon re-entering the UK. The total scam amounted to over £18,000.
