Reading Magistrates Court: Nine in court over Kintbury solar panel ‘scam’
Prosecutor claims villagers targetted in £17m fraud scheme
John Garvey
Villagers in Kintbury were allegedly targetted in a £17m solar panels scam.
The prosecution alleges the defendants – traders from ESE Group Ltd and ESE Services Ltd, based in Sprint Way, Liverpool – used “harassment, coercion or undue influence” to sell solar panel equipment and bogus services.
On Friday, nine men appeared for a preliminary hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court following an investigation involving West Berkshire Council trading standards officers.
Among them was 44-year-old company director Gary Fredson, who faces 12 charges of knowingly or recklessly engaging in a commercial practice.