By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS: clucadou-wells@mmpgroup.com.au
A NOBLE Park North man – described as “more of a muddler than an arch-fraud” – has been ordered to compensate three customers after failing to supply promised goods.
In Dandenong Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday, Neil Turner, 62, was fined $10,000 and ordered to pay $1400 in legal costs and $8850 compensation to three customers after taking deposits for coolrooms and an air-conditioning unit but failing to deliver.
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell noted Turner had taken substantial sums of money from the three customers.
Consumer Affairs Victoria solicitor Nick Hufton alleged Turner was paid $4500 to supply and install a coolroom in a Seaford milk bar in November 2010, $3350 for a coolroom at a Warburton chicken farm in March 2011 and $1000 for an air-conditioner at a Dandenong North investment property in August 2011.
Turner had met his customers in various ways. Milk bar owner Zhong Chen responded to an ad in Trader Tag newspaper, Turner approached poultry farm manager Peter Belica at his farm, and investment property owner Khanh Quach met Turner at a garage sale.
Lawyer Peter Cash told the court his client had good intentions but was unlikely to pay the fine and compensation.
“He is not in good health and doesn’t have any assets,” Mr Cash said.
“He has given up his refrigeration work. In all honesty, the likelihood of myself being paid is quite remote.”
Mr Cash said Turner had recently served three months jail for obtaining property by deception.
“He’s more of a muddler than an arch-fraud,” Mr Cash told the court.
Mr Hufton said outside the court that Turner’s son, Robert, whose name appeared on Turner’s business card, had offered to refund the deposit for the air-conditioner but later reneged.
On March 26, Turner jnr was convicted by magistrate Steven Raleigh for failing to supply paid-for goods and fined $7500. He was ordered to pay two victims $6179.20 and legal costs of $2000.
