By Andrew Bardsley

Copyright manchestereveningnews

A fraudster who has left a customer thousands of pounds out of pocket is now living in America with his wife. The Cheshire Windows Outlet, run by married couple Steven and Louise Wright, advertised themselves as installing double glazing windows and doors. But the firm left Samuel Bardsley out of pocket after he paid thousands for new windows and doors for a farm house he and his family were renovating. Steven Wright, 50, was running the company despite having twice previously been banned from being the director of a business. His wife Louise Wright, 45, was convicted of acting in contravention of a disqualification order after helping her husband to continue his involvement in the firm. Both were convicted in their absence following a trial at Minshull Street Crown Court, following an investigation by Stockport council’s Trading Standards officers. They face arrest if they return to the UK. The couple are believed to be living in Florida in the United States. Sign up to the MEN Court newsletter here After the guilty verdicts were returned against the couple and the company, Judge Jenny Lester-Ashworth told jurors who had tried the case, that the defendants were out of the country. “They are living abroad in America,” she said. “When they re-enter the jurisdiction they will be arrested and they will be brought before the crown court.” The judge said she had decided not to sentence the pair in their absence, adding that she did not have enough information about them. She said: “It would not be fair to do so. They both have children.” Prosecutor Andy Evans said that Belinda Phelan, a Trading Standards Officer based in Stockport, launched an investigation into the company after receiving a referral from citizens advice. Her investigation involved the following, he said: “The Cheshire Windows Outlet being operated fraudulently by taking deposit money when they had neither the ability nor the intention to begin installations, and was being operated illegally by a disqualified director.” The court heard that Mr Bardsley had contacted the group over Facebook to enquire about installing new windows and doors on his home. He paid more than £4,000, 40 per cent of the £11,170 quote, in October 2020. “That payment was the last he heard,” said Mr Evans. “After six months of emails back and forth, but no installation date, he called Cheshire Windows Outlet on the number on their invoice but it was disconnected.” “It was Louise Wright who called him back later that day and told him Steven would be in touch soon. He did not call. On the odd occasion when he did pick up a call, he would make excuses.” Mr Bardsley had gone on to contact the window manufacturer, who he identified from email correspondence. While they refused to give him any details, he discovered that his windows had not been ordered for at least five months after he had paid the £4,000 deposit. Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE Mr Bardsley decided to cancel his contract and asked for a return of the deposit, but he did not receive a response. “It looks like a reputable company, it was local rather than national so we thought we would be getting a better service,” Mr Bardsley said during the trial. “I was desperate to try and get it sorted. Our home was getting water damage from the weather – we’d bought a house and were renovating. I felt we had been defrauded. We paid for services in good faith and were extremely patient. “We sent a legal letter and didn’t get a response. I had lost faith, he would not give the money back – he didn’t give a reason why.” The couple were ‘very reluctant’ to speak with Trading Standards during the investigation, the court heard, and the pair did not attend their trial. Jurors returned unanimous verdicts on Thursday (September 11). Steven Wright was found guilty of one count of fraud. He was also convicted of two counts of acting in contravention of a disqualification order. Louise Wright was found guilty of two counts of acting in contravention of a disqualification order, by assisting her husband to perform a directorial role in the company. The company was convicted of two counts of acting in contravention of a disqualification order. Steven Wright and the company were acquitted of a second count of fraud. After the hearing, Coun Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection at Stockport Council , said: “This successful prosecution demonstrates the council’s absolute commitment to protecting our residents and holding dishonest businesses to account. Steven and Louise Wright acted with complete disregard for the law, deceiving customers and undermining trust in legitimate local traders. “Thanks to the hard work and persistence of the enforcement team at the council, we were able to bring their case before the courts and secure justice for those who have been affected. This case sends a clear message – we will not tolerate fraudulent practices, and we will take firm action against those who seek to exploit residents in our borough.”