A TRADESMAN is to make an out-of-court settlement to a Crewe woman who complained about his home improvement work, a court heard.

Shane Joseph Preece appeared at South Cheshire Magistrates' Court where he admitted two offences relating to a false trade mark and dealing in counterfeit tobacco, while other charges he faces concerning his work as a tradesman may be dropped at a later hearing.

Magistrates agreed to adjourn two matters against Preece over work he was engaged to complete by Mrs Venus Thomas at Conrad Close in Crewe.

Preece was charged with making a false representation to Mrs Thomas between January 31 and February 2, 2017 in that he claimed he was a competent tradesperson capable of carrying out home improvement works to a satisfactory standard.

He was also charged with carrying on a business for a fraudulent purpose to make a gain for himself with the intention to cause Mrs Thomas a loss between the same dates.

The court heard an out-of-court settlement could be struck "provided certain monies are paid" to Mrs Thomas ahead of another hearing on March 23.

Preece, 43, of Dart Walk, Winsford pleaded guilty to possession of business material bearing a false trade mark, namely Amber Leaf, and intending to sell counterfeit hand rolling tobacco, both on September 19, 2018.

The court was told that when police executed a warrant at Preece's home "in respect of other matters" they found a large quantity of cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco.

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Some of the cigarettes, including the brand Kent Grey, were unlawful for sale in the UK while the Amber Leaf tobacco found was counterfeit.

Trading standards officers estimated at £3 per pouch the latter could have generated near to £300 for the defendant.

Preece made a full admission regarding the tobacco; a charge in relation to the sale of cigarettes was dropped at court.

Magistrates fined him £100 and ordered he pay court costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £30. A destruction order was made on the products.