A MAN from Torfaen was fined over £4,000 for his 'aggressive' manner when cold calling.

Henry Elias Jones, 46, who lives at Rose Cottage in Upper Race, Pontypool, was cold calling properties and trading as Oaktree Gardening Services.

Appearing at Newport Magistrates Court today he pleaded guilty to engaging in a commercial practice which was aggressive, and to another charge of failing to provide required information in relation to off-premises contract.

The court heard that on June 2, he cold called at The Willows in Bedwas, Caerphilly, and the woman at the property described him as persistent, quoting her £600 for work and wanting money upfront in cash.

On the same day he also called at another property in The Willows, and the lady at the property refused and said she recognised him from a previous gardening job which had not met her standards. She also described him as persistent and felt intimidated and he only left when a male relative intervened.

A complaint was made to Caerphilly Council about the trader as he was cold calling in a no cold calling zone, and on June 3, a trading standards officer, Emyr Butler went to the area.

After spotting a van that matched the description, he approached two males, but they quickly returned to the vehicle and made off.

A search warrant was executed by police and business leaflets were found.

The court was told that as a member of the travelling community, Jones could not read or write so he didn’t know it was a no cold calling zone as he couldn’t read the signs.

He denied that he was targeting the homes of old people and was just going from street to street and he apologised for any concerns that he caused the residents.

He had a cooling off period written on the leaflets but said he didn’t know that regulations meant that he couldn’t undertake work on the same day as someone agreeing to services.

The court was told that the investigation to locate him cost the council over £2,000.

Jones was fined £1,350 for charge one, £450 for charge two, a victim surcharge of £120 and a court charge of £180.

Prosecution costs of £2,746.25 were also awarded.

Jones will have to pay a total of £4,846.25.