Victim of Stourbridge rogue trader 'hasn't seen a penny' since court case over a year ago

The victim of a rogue trader who was sold a 'dangerous and unroadworthy' vehicle claims she 'hasn't seen a penny' since the case was taken to court over a year ago. Khizar Bukhari, director of The Motor Store and SOR Motors Ltd, was ordered to pay nearly £20,000 after appearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court last year.

That included a full refund of £3,500 to be paid back to the customer, who purchased the black-coloured Mercedes ML350 in October 2021. He was also fined £4,800 and ordered to pay £11,095.47 in court costs, along with a £190 victim surcharge.

Bukhari and the company had pleaded guilty to fraud and to failing to act with professional diligence. The defendant, of Birmingham Street, Stourbridge, was sentenced to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months in September 2023.

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However, the victim, a mum from Bristol, who wished to remain anonymous, told BirminghamLive: "Mr Bukhari hasn't paid me, (the) solicitor or court fees a single penny. I'm not sure how he's getting away with it. After years of fighting this case and him finally pleading guilty, it was never worth it.

"I had so much hope after a lengthy case and him pleading guilty that this nightmare would be over. But there's been no justice as he has technically gotten away with it, I'm so disappointed. It has really affected me mentally and financially."

The company advertised the Mercedes in Autotrader as being in 'mint condition'. But an investigation by Dudley Council's trading standards department, which brought the case to court, showed there was a 'dangerous fault' with the power steering on the car.

An independent vehicle expert said it would have made it 'almost impossible to safely negotiate a bend' and also found that the handbrake system was 'defective and inoperative'. The expert concluded that 'the vehicle was in a dangerous and unroadworthy condition' when sold by Bukhari in October 2021.

It's understood the defendant has started paying some of his fines but it is not known what, or how much, has been paid off. A spokesperson for His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service spokesperson said: "We do everything possible to make sure criminals pay what they owe to victims – including taking money from an offender’s benefits or salary – and they can face jail for non-payment."