Trader sentenced for fraud and consumer protection offences in Salford

After a five-year delay, John Mongan (02.01.1979) of A1 Garden & Landscape Services has been sentenced following a guilty conviction in 2020 at a trial held in his absence for fraud and consumer protection offences.

Sentencing for John Mongan took place at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Friday January 23, 2026. The court imposed the following penalties:

• Community Order: A 12-month mandate including 150 hours of unpaid work and 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.
• Compensation: Mongan was ordered to pay £1,380 to the complainant to cover the full amount of their financial loss.
• Costs: The court awarded £1,123 in costs to Salford City Council.

In 2018, Mongan was hired to carry out landscaping work at the complainant’s home. To justify demanding upfront payment before any work commenced, the business owner claimed the customer "looked like the type of person who wouldn’t pay."

The court heard that Salford City Council’s Trading Standards team brought the prosecution after the victim paid out £1,380 but only minimal preparatory work was done.

After failing to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court in March 2020, Mongan was convicted in his absence of three counts of fraud by false representation under the Fraud Act 2006 and one count of misleading action under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Following the verdict, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety said: 

“This case highlights our commitment to protecting consumers from rogue traders. Businesses that persistently ignore the law not only cause victims to suffer but also undermine legitimate traders. I’m pleased that he has finally been brought to justice, sending a clear message that such dishonest practices will not be tolerated in Salford.”

Consumers concerned about rogue traders can report issues to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.