Issue Date:  -  Monday, 9 June 2003

Thieving car salesman prosecuted

A car salesman who pleaded guilty to seven counts of stealing as a servant has been fined $300 on each count and been given a suspended prison sentence of fifteen months in the Perth District Court.

Subsequent to this prosecution by Police, the Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Board disqualified him on May 13th from holding any authorisation under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act.

Colin John Varley (57) of Duncraig who was employed by Titan Ford in Melville at the time is not currently employed within the motor vehicle sales industry.

Mr Varley told the Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Board that he deeply regretted his actions and that they were out of character.

"Consumers invest both their trust and money when they are buying vehicles and they need to be confident that the people they are dealing with are honest and acting in their best interests.

"The consequences of Mr Varley's actions in this case show that the community is not prepared to tolerate dishonesty", Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

Consumer Protection receives more than three hundred calls a month from consumers seeking advice and assistance with matters relating to the purchasing of vehicles.

Consumer Protection can be contacted on telephone 1 300 30 40 54 or at www.docep.wa.gov.au