VIP Sheds former directors found guilty
Issued by Peter Graham, Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading - 18 March 2020
Former company directors of VIP Sheds Pty Ltd, Carl Albert Dobson and Cassandra Kiri Dobson, entered guilty pleas in Hobart Magistrates Court today in relation to 31 offences each against section 158(7) of the Australian Consumer Law (Tasmania) Act 2020 for failure to supply goods.
They were sentenced to pay compensation orders to their victims in the amount of $245,472.50
VIP Sheds Pty Ltd entered into liquidation in April 2016 leaving more than 250 consumers with unsatisfied orders for shed kits. 31 consumers lodged formal complaints with the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading via Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS).
CBOS continued to take action against the former directors who controlled the actions of the company leading up to liquidation.
In his comments, Magistrate Daly highlighted the importance of general deterrents in sentencing in relation to the Australian Consumer Law and noted that the priority for the sentencing outcome should be compensation orders for the affected consumers.
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