Newtownabbey Coal Packer Fined After Selling Shortweight Coal

Newtownabbey coal packer, James Walker, trading as Redon Fuels, Doagh Road, Newtownabbey, was today fined £400 plus £25 court costs at Newtownabbey Magistrates’ Court for selling shortweight coal.

In a case brought by the Trading Standards Service (TSS) of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), Mr Walker pleaded guilty to 15 charges under the Weights & Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. A fine of £200 was imposed in respect of two charges with a conditional discharge being imposed on each of the remaining 13.

In December 2008, a Trading Standards Inspector check-weighed 25kg bags of pre-packed solid fuel at a Newtownabbey filling station and later at Redon premises. Five different varieties of fuel were tested and it was found that 67 out of a total of 101 bags weighed less than the lower legal limit of 24.5kg. Two of the five varieties were on average 10% short of the nominal weight.

Investigations at the coal yard revealed further problems, including the use of unapproved weighing equipment. In addition, there was an ineffective system for checking the weight of bags packed.

Trading Standards Area Inspector Bill Malloy said: “Consumers are entitled to expect that the coal they buy meets the minimum weight standards laid down by law. With the price of many fuels being high at this time, it is ever more important that consumers are sold the amount they pay for.”

If consumers suspect that they have received short weight solid fuel, they should contact Consumerline on tel: 0845 600 62 62 or 028 9025 3900, or alternatively log on to www.consumerline.org. Consumerline is the consumer advice helpline for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI).

Notes to Editors:

1. Nine charges were brought under article 32(2) of the Weights & Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. This relates to packers selling or having in possession for sale shortweight prepacked goods.

2. Five charges were brought under article 32(1) of the Weights & Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. This relates to failure of packer to use suitable equipment and/or carry out checks when filling prepacked items.

3. One charge was brought under article 13(1) of the Weights & Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. This relates to the use for trade of unapproved or untested equipment.

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