The director of a Felixstowe mobility furniture company which promised life-improving products but left customers significantly out of pocket has repaid £50,000 from the proceeds of his crimes.  

David Waters, 74, of Manwick Road, Felixstowe, was the sole director of Anchor Mobility, a company found guilty of 15 counts of unfair commercial practice by Ipswich Crown Court. 

His offences included fraudulent trading, poor customer service, and misleading consumers by taking large deposits with the promise of delivering goods without ever doing so, resulting in Waters being sentenced to 32 months in prison and fined £15,000 at a hearing in December 2019. 

The conviction would not have been possible without the intervention of Suffolk Trading Standards, who discovered more than 20 victims when investigating Anchor Mobility after receiving numerous consumer complaints.  

Suffolk Trading Standards also sought additional compensation for all known victims, leading to Waters appearing at Ipswich Crown Court again last June, when a judge ruled that he must repay £50,000 in proceeds from his crimes, reflecting the assets available to him.

Compensation ranging from £600 to over £5,000 is currently being paid out, much to the relief of victims and their loved ones, who praised Suffolk Trading Standards for its efforts in securing a successful outcome.

Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said: "Although no compensation can undo the distress caused by David Water's actions, I am delighted that 25 of his victims will be given a share of £50,000 from the proceeds of his crimes. 

"Officers from Suffolk Trading Standards have worked tirelessly to deliver the compensation to victims, with many victims receiving thousands of pounds as a direct result of our involvement.

"Bringing Mr Waters to justice would not have been possible without the assistance of our colleagues from the National Trading Standards Tri Regional Investigation Team and I am grateful for their help in protecting Suffolk residents and ensuring a level playing field for our county's legitimate traders."

Cllr Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, added: "David Waters deceived elderly and disabled consumers, failing to deliver on his promise of life-changing products without a second thought to the detriment this may have on their quality of life.

"It is only right that he pays the price for his crooked dealings, and I am hopeful that this significant compensation claim will deter others who may be tempted to commit similar crimes.

"The case also highlights the positive impact of Suffolk's Trading Standards team on a national level, with victims of Waters living as far afield as Cornwall and Wales amongst those receiving the compensation sought by our officers." 

Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to a fraudulent trader should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.