NSW: Odometer tampering costs dealer $17,000

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2001
NSW: Odometer tampering costs dealer $17,000

SYDNEY, Aug 21 AAP - An unlicensed motor dealer from Wollongong who wound back the
speedos of two cars has been ordered to pay fines, compensation and legal costs of more
than $17,000.

60-year-old Kevin Horsfall, of The Esplanade at Oak Flats, was yesterday fined a total
of $9,000 in Wollongong Court for unlicensed motor dealing and two counts of interfering
with odometers.

NSW Fair Trading Minister John Watkins said the penalty imposed reflected the seriousness
of the offences.

"The man wound back the speedos in two cars by a total of 672,834km," Mr Watkins said.

"Most people use speedo readings to judge the condition of a vehicle, so it is a particularly
miserable rip-off."

Horsfall was ordered to pay $4,300 compensation to the buyers and he forfeited $1,800
in proceeds from the sales. He also had to pay the department's court costs of $1,974.

The first car, which Mr Horsfall paid $1,350 for, was sold to a buyer from nearby Albion
Park for $4,500.

The second car cost the unlicensed dealer $900 but it was sold to a consumer from Cordeax
Heights, also near Wollongong, for $4,500.

AAP gmw/vr/

KEYWORD: TAMPER

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