| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 30/10/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 6 |
| Copyright: Other |
Shop boss found guilty of deception
THE FORMER boss of a Cheltenham travel company has been ordered to do 240 hours community service after his firm collapsed with debts of more than £300,000.
William Shea, 73, ran Scotsdale Travel, which went bust in September 1998, and Cirrus Travel, which folded in September last year. He pleaded guilty to charges of deception and making false claims in brochures when he appeared before Gloucester Crown Court. The court heard customers lost up to £2,000 each when the agency went bust, as Shea had failed to provide insurance or bonding.
Chief Gloucestershire Trading Standards Officer Paul Gallant said: “The law states that travel businesses must provide security for consumers’ money. Mr Shea blatantly ignored this requirement over a three-year period.”