A plumber has been fined for duping an 84-year-old Bradford man into paying hundreds of pounds for a new shower when he had simply replaced parts of the old one.

The pensioner realised he had been conned by Peter Earle when he called to register the shower’s guarantee and was told he had already done so the year before.

He had paid £312 for the shower, Bradford magistrates were told. West Yorkshire Trading Standards (WYTS) prosecuted Earle, of Margerison Road, Ben Rhydding, under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Following an investigation, it emerged that Earle had only replaced some of the internal parts in the original pump, but had charged for a complete replacement.

It subsequently turned out that the repair to the old pump was itself not carried out to a satisfactory standard.

Earle was fined £650 and ordered to pay prosecution costs.

After the case, Graham Hebblethwaite, chief officer of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said: “When consumers, especially the elderly and vulnerable invite traders into their homes they should be able to trust the trader’s expertise in carrying out effective repairs at a reasonable cost.

“This case goes to show that West Yorkshire Trading Standards will follow up complaints from consumers, and prosecute those who deliberately overcharge or mislead consumers.”

To complain about poor workmanship, call Consumer Direct on 0845 4040506.