Trading standards monthly news
November 2023
Fraud conviction appeal over fake COVID-19 cure dismissed
An appeal, by Bishop Climate Wiseman, against a fraud conviction for selling a £91 oil mixture that he claimed could protect against or cure coronavirus was dismissed.
Wiseman had been convicted in December 2022 and was sentenced in February 2023 to a one-year prison sentence suspended for two years. He was also ordered to undertake 130 hours of unpaid work and pay prosecution costs of over £60,000.
The investigation started the day after the stay at home order for England was given on 24 March 2020. Trading standards received a complaint that the Kingdom Church in Camberwell was selling a product called ‘Plague Protection Oil’ said to protect against or cure coronavirus.
Following sentencing, Wiseman lodged appeals against conviction and sentence. A panel of judges at the Court of Appeal, chaired by the Lady Chief Justice, dismissed the appeals. The judgement said they were not persuaded that the conviction was unsafe. An appeal against an order to pay Southwark’s costs of some £60,000 was also dismissed.
Illegal and dangerous cosmetics and vapes seized
Over 450 cosmetic products were seized during inspections at three premises across the borough. The items consisted of skin-lightening creams and lotions which have previously been found to contain banned ingredients, or which were not labelled with the correct safety and traceability information.
Over 780 disposable vaping products containing nicotine were also seized from two retailers in Walworth. The products did not comply with tank size safety limits, labelling and product traceability requirements.
Junior Citizen event
The team participated in Junior Citizen, an educational scheme organised by Transport for London (TFL) at the Old Kent Road Fire Station.
The scheme provides an opportunity for children in the last year of primary school to gain skills and knowledge to prepare for a safer and more confident lifestyle.
Interactive sessions took place led by agencies including TFL, London Fire Brigade and Ambulance, Police and the council’s road safety and trading standards teams.
Over 1,500 pupils visited over the course of the event with trading standards focussing on age restricted products and the dangers of buying fake and unsafe goods.
Staff awards
Three members of staff won awards at two annual trading standards awards events. Best Apprentice and Best Manager were awarded at the London Trading Standards Awards held at City of London offices. In addition, a highly commended Hero Award was presented at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute Hero Awards which were held at the Houses of Parliament.
Page last updated: 07 March 2024
