Scammer who fled to US with wife guilty of fraud

Steven Wright and his wife sold their home and fled to the US before Wright's trial

A man who took money for double-glazing jobs which were never delivered and fled to Florida has been convicted of fraud in his absence.

Steven Wright, 50, from Bramhall, was prosecuted by Stockport Council Trading Standards which had investigated complaints against his firm The Cheshire Window Outlet Limited.

A trial was set for January 2024 at a plea hearing in 2022 but in 2023 Wright and his wife Louise sold their home in Hall Moss Lane, Bramhall, and fled to the US, prompting arrest warrants to be issued.

Wright was unanimously convicted of fraud by false representation and breaching two disqualification orders at a rescheduled trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on 11 September.

'Disregard for the law'

Stockport Council said the company was run by Wright who was already subject to two director disqualification orders for two separate offences – one in 2014 banning him for eight years and another in 2018 banning him for a further four years.

Despite this, Wright set up The Cheshire Window Outlet within months of the second ban, using his 46-year-old wife's name and later that of his friend Mark Tibbot.

In 2022, the Trading Standards team charged the company, Wright, his wife and Tibbot with charges including fraud by false representation and breaches of the disqualification orders.

His wife was found guilty of two counts of acting in contravention of a disqualification order by assisting her husband.

The company itself was also convicted of two counts of breaching a disqualification order.

Councillor Dan Oliver, Stockport Council cabinet member for communities, culture and public protection, said: "Steven and Louise Wright acted with complete disregard for the law, deceiving customers and undermining trust in legitimate local traders.

"This case sends a clear message – we will not tolerate fraudulent practices and will take firm action against those who exploit residents in our borough."