EditorPort Talbot trader branded ‘epitome of a rogue trader’ after Trading Standards probe
Wayne John Phillips, 56, of Lingfield Avenue, Port Talbot, pleaded guilty to six offences under the Fraud Act 2006 after an investigation by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards team.
Between April 2021 and December 2023, Phillips, trading as WJP Electrical, was contracted by homeowners to carry out refurbishment and rewiring work worth around £14,000. He provided written quotations bearing the logo of NICEIC — the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contractors — despite not being registered with the body or holding any electrical qualifications.
Work began on three properties but was never completed. An expert later found the work to be extremely poor and potentially dangerous.
Judge: “Like someone with a Biology A‑Level claiming to be a doctor”
Phillips first appeared before Swansea Magistrates Court in July, where magistrates committed the case to Crown Court for sentencing.
At Swansea Crown Court on 25 September, Judge Paul Thomas KC told Phillips he was the “epitome of a rogue trader”, adding that his claims to be an electrician were “tantamount to someone with a Biology A‑Level claiming to be a doctor”.
Allowing a 30% credit for his early guilty plea, Judge Thomas sentenced Phillips to:
- 20 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years
- 15 days of rehabilitation activity
- 200 hours of unpaid work
- A £156 victim surcharge
Trading Standards warning
Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said:
“Rogue traders such as Mr Phillips do not see the obligations they have to their customers, only seeing them as a means to financial gain.
Trading Standards take a hard line on investigating businesses that flout the law and target the vulnerable. The service is promoting a national trading standards run trader approval scheme called Buy With Confidence. Legitimate and responsible traders are encouraged to make enquiries with the department to join the scheme. Consumers should check the Buy With Confidence website for approved traders.”
Residents who suspect rogue trading are urged to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 (or 0808 223 1144 for Welsh‑language advice).
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