By Andrew Bardsley,Monica Charsley

Copyright mirror

A scam artist fled the UK with his wife after stealing thousands of pounds from a customer who ordered from their double glazing company. Steven Wright, 50, who runs The Cheshire Windows Outlet with his wife Louise, 45, took a deposit of more than £4,000 from home owner Samuel Bardsley and then stopped all contact with him. Mr Bardsley had ordered new windows and doors for his farm house as part of a rennovation project. However, shortly after his order took place, the business owner vanished into thin air. The couple, who are now believed to be living in Florida in the US , have evaded the authorities and could be arrested if they return to the UK. “They are living abroad in America,” said Judge Jenny Lester-Ashworth. “When they re-enter the jurisdiction they will be arrested and they will be brought before the crown court.” Minshull Street Crown Court heard how Mr Wright was running the company despite having twice previously been banned from being the director of a business. The pair were both convicted in their absence following a trial. 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, reports Manchester Evening News . 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. 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. 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.” 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.”