Gloucester man found guilty after promises to customers go up in smoke

Daniel Hatton, aged 41, previously of Hucclecote Road, Gloucester, was found guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on 23 June 2025 of six offences, in a prosecution brought by Gloucestershire County Council’s trading standards service. Hatton was found guilty in his absence and a warrant for his arrest was issued by the court.

Trading standards officers first received complaints about Hatton, who also used the business name D H Woodburners, in July 2020. Their investigations soon revealed a pattern where Hatton met with potential customers between September 2019 and August 2020 when he took a 50 per cent deposit to supply and install a wood burning stove, but never did the work.

Hatton maintained he always intended to complete the work but time and again failed to meet deadlines. On the days leading up to installation Hatton began giving numerous excuses as to why the wood burners could not be installed and rescheduled the start date for the work.

Deposits taken from the six individuals who supplied evidence against Hatton ranged from £860 to £1,950, and although he did make full or partial refunds to some customers, many were left out of pocket.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member for trading standards at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Where traders fail in their obligations to consumers and make false or reckless statements then our trading standards team will take appropriate action which may include prosecution. In this case money was taken from six victims and no work was carried out, meaning a prosecution was warranted.”

Anyone seeking advice on consumer matters or who wants to report a trader should call 0808 223 1133 or contact Trading Standards on tradingstandards@gloucestershire.gov.uk