'Darth Vader' tried to sell a scooter

A 29-year-old man who left a message in the style of ‘Darth Vader’ on a Winsford woman’s answerphone has been found guilty of aggressive commercial practice. Anthony Honegan, of Catsbrook Road, Luton, was found guilty on Count Two, contrary to consumer protection from unfair trading regulation, by a jury at Chester Crown. On the opening day of the trial, the court heard how the defendant, who worked for Luton-based Forever Active, had called Valerie Rawlins, aged 57, on June 17 with the intention to sell her a mobility scooter.

Peter Moss, prosecuting, said: “The claimant was not a person who needed a mobility scooter. “She remembered receiving a letter through her letter box and the defendant phoned at 12.03pm with a view to engaging her with the prospect of purchasing a scooter. She immediately said no because of the leaflet. She said ‘I do not want to buy one thank you, good bye’, and put the phone down.


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“Undeterred by that this defendant between 12.03pm and 1215pm then embarked on a mission. He made his first set of calls in a 12 minute period and the calls became increasingly menacing.” Mr Moss added that the defendant had threatened he may stop her benefits or pension if she did not buy a scooter.

He said that on a voicemail message Honegan had put on a false voice, and said: “It was a Darth Vader voice, a menacing voice, in which he said ‘we know where you are’.” The Winsford resident then referred the matter to the Trading Standards Authority for Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC). Honegan is to be sentenced on October 8, at Chester Crown Court.