TRADING standards chiefs are demanding a change in the law after the conviction of a former Leigh travel agent.

George Dudley Tice, who traded as A & T Travel in Chapel Street, was found guilty at Leigh Magistrates of seven offences contrary to travel law after 450 clients were left stranded in Spain in September 1994.

He was given a 12 months conditional discharge.

The sentence has angered David O'Connor, Chief Trading Standards Officer, who said it was hardly surprising that people who had lost large amounts of money had no confidence in the current law since they were unlikely to get any cash back.

He commented: "We are not content to let matters rest and will be making formal representations to the Government to change the law in several areas."

Tice, who now lives in Maybush Road, Wakefield, pleaded guilty to seven specimen charges that he had failed to protect clients' advance payments when trading as A & T Travel. The sums involved in the charges totalled £25,000 out of £42,000 paid by holidaymakers, although the total sums involved, because of the firm's collapse, were higher.

Appearing for Wigan Council, Miss Gwynne Mutch told the court that hotel bills had not been paid in advance as required, and those travelling by coach were given two days notice to get out of their hotels, with the repatriation of one group of travellers being arranged by the British Consulate in Spain.

The group, who later had to repay the British Government, had been left on the streets until the early hours of the morning, and those travelling by air had to pay again for their accommodation while waiting for return flights.

Tony Wemyss, defending Tice, said there had been no dishonest intention to defraud clients, and that, having lost his business and sold his house to compensate clients, he had probably suffered more than anyone. Tice reckoned, the court heard, that he had paid about £19,000 compensation, though a recent poll by the council revealed that £5,000 had been refunded.

Mr. O'Connor said: "I am faced with the task of explaining the outcome of this case to people who have suffered considerably as a result of their money not being protected.

"It is easy to see why those with whom I have already spoken have no confidence in the law designed to protect them. Only £900 passed through A & T's trust fund instead of more than £100,000 which should have done so. A large number of clients on the International Spanish Classic have obtained civil judgements for compensation against Mr. Tice yet are unlikely to receive any payment."

He added: "We now see it as our task to enlist the help of MPs, consumer organisations and reputable trade bodies to ensure that the law is changed to restore that confidence."

Mr. O'Connor went on to say it made no sense for offences which arise due to insolvency to be punished solely by a fine, as the defendant will have no money, and it was hard to understand why someone could go to jail for two years for clocking cars but not run the same risk for this type of offence.

He said: "Although there are reputable firms using trust funds to protect clients' payments, the public should exercise extreme caution before committing money to them."

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