A Surrey borough council found itself in a legal battle with local estate agents after it brought forward two cases of unlawful advertising, accusing them of breaching advertising regulations.
Last month, Staines Magistrates’ Court heard two cases brought by Spelthorne Borough Council against local estate agents, Staines Seymour Ltd and The Frost Partnership (Berkshire) Ltd. With both being accused of breaching advertising regulations.
In the first case, Staines Seymour Ltd pleaded guilty to seven offences of breaching advertisement control by displaying estate agent boards on properties that were not for sale or rent.
The company reportedly advertised not only charity events but also their business on said displays.
Part-owner of Staines Seymour, Mrs D’Costa, represented the company and pled mitigating circumstances. A legal term which is used to describe when a defendant pleads guilty to an offense, but provides context to suggest why said actions which led to the offenses.
In doing so, asking for leniency in punishment due to unforeseen, out-of-control situations like severe illness, bereavement, or other personal emergencies.
The court gave credit to Mrs D’Costa for appearing and therefore reduced the fine to £295 per offence, rather than the usual penalty of £440.
The court also awarded a victim surcharge of £826 and costs against them in the sum of £2,400. The estate agents will need to pay a total of £5,291 to the court by October 1.
In terms of the separate The Frost Partnership case, the estate agents did not attend court, however Staines magistrates agreed to hear the case despite the absence.
The Frost Partnership Ltd were found guilty of 14 offences of breaching advertisement control by displaying estate agent boards on properties that were not for sale or rent. Also advertising charity events as well as their own business.
Due to their failure to attend court, the magistrates fined them £440 per offence, a victim surcharge of £2,464 and costs against them in the sum of £2,363. With a total of £10,987 needing to be paid to the court by September 9.
