The director of Halton Stairlifts has been sentenced to eight years in prison for defrauding elderly and disabled customers out of more than £1.3 million. The company, based in Liverpool, took payments for stairlifts that were never installed or left customers with faulty equipment.
Fraudulent practices exposed
An investigation by Liverpool City Council's trading standards revealed that between 2016 and 2022, the company targeted vulnerable people, often charging them upfront for stairlifts that were not delivered. In some cases, customers were left without working stairlifts for months, despite paying thousands of pounds. The court heard that some victims were left stranded in their homes, unable to access upper floors.
The director, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of fraud by abuse of position and money laundering. The judge described the crimes as 'a deliberate and sustained attack on vulnerable people'.
Impact on victims
One victim, an 89-year-old woman, paid £4,500 for a stairlift that was never installed. Another customer, a disabled man, was left without a working stairlift for over a year after paying £3,200. The fraud affected more than 100 customers, many of whom were elderly or had disabilities.
According to the council, the company used high-pressure sales tactics and false promises to secure payments. Some customers were told their stairlifts would be installed within days, but the company repeatedly delayed or failed to complete the work.
Legal proceedings and sentencing
The director was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on 23 February 2023. He was also disqualified from being a company director for 10 years. The court ordered a confiscation hearing to recover the proceeds of the fraud.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for communities, said: 'This was a despicable crime that targeted some of the most vulnerable people in our city. The sentence reflects the severity of the offences and sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.'
Company background
Halton Stairlifts operated from an address in Liverpool and advertised stairlifts for elderly and disabled people. The company was dissolved in 2022 following the investigation. Trading standards officers urged anyone who had paid for a stairlift and not received it to contact them.
The case highlights the importance of checking companies before making payments, especially for vulnerable individuals. The council advised consumers to use reputable firms and to avoid paying large sums upfront.
