'Dangerous' tire supplier fined
ERJ staff report (BC)
Cumnock, Scotland – A Former employee of a tire business has been fined at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to supplying dangerous tires following an investigation by East Ayrshire Council's Trading Standards Service, reports the Cumnock Chronicle.
On 15 May 2013, William Anderson of East Kilbride was fined £400 (€473)after admitting offences under the UK’s Consumer Protection Act 1987. Anderson, while manager of Profile Tires in Kilmarnock's Academy Street, supplied undercover Trading Standards Officers with two part-worn tires which did not meet safety standards.
Both of the £20 (€24) tires were examined by an independent expert who reported that one of the tires had five areas of damage which had not been properly repaired and a nail still embedded in the tread. The expert considered that the tires could fail catastrophically if used further on the road.
Councillor Tom Cook, the local authority’s spokesperson for improving community safety, said: "In the current economic climate, motorists may be tempted to look for a less expensive option when replacing tires. Part-worn tires are an option, but some defects cannot be immediately identified by the untrained eye and motorists are advised to be very careful if making this choice.
"The danger of supplying unsafe part-worn tires cannot be overestimated as they could endanger lives. It is essential, therefore, that tire retailers ensure the part-worn tires they sell are free from defects and have been repaired in accordance with the British Standard.
"The Council's Trading Standards Service will continue to monitor the sale of part-worn tires and take strong action against traders who break the law."
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Full report from Cumnock Chronicle
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