Removal boss jailed over damage

Russell Bright stored precious possessions in a barn

A removal firm boss has been jailed for losing or breaking customers' prized possessions and not having insurance to provide compensation.

Russell Bright, 59, trading as Global Removals, was sentenced to six months in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Mr Bright, of Tolleshunt Major, Maldon in Essex pleaded guilty to 12 offences under the Trades Descriptions Act.

Trading standards started receiving complaints about Global Removals in February 2006 and decided to prosecute.

Complaints were all from consumers who had used the company to transfer their belongings between properties and had found that items had been lost or badly damaged.

When they tried to claim compensation they found that the company was not insured, even though they claimed to have cover in their advertising.

Roger Walters from Essex County Council trading standards said: "He stored furniture, some of it antique, in something like a barn in an open field.

"He failed to turn up on time and he lost or damaged belongings."