A DODGY car dealer who misled punters about cars and their servicing history has had his sentence reduced.

Issa Abuissa, formerly of Manchester Road, Reading, was sentenced to 36 months' in prison at Reading Crown Court on May 25.

The 47-year-old successfully appealed the sentence at London's Appeal Court and he has had his jail time cut by one third.

He was found guilty of 14 counts of fraud relating to his used-car business after complaints were made by customers about his second-hand dealership in Binfield.

A lengthy investigation was launched by Trading Standards and it was found that he had altered records to make it look like cars had been serviced before he attempted to sell them.

Councillor Norman Jorgensen, chairman of the Joint Public Protection Committee, said: “The investigation into the activities of Mr Abuissa revealed a wide range of dishonesty and a trail of victims.

"This was a complicated case that resulted in a two-week trial following which he was convicted of fourteen of the fifteen charges.

"The level of criminality is demonstrated by the sentence which the committee hopes will send a clear message to anyone else thinking of engaging in this activity.

"Tackling crime related to vehicle sales is one of the Public Protection Partnership’s key objectives for this year."

Abuissa operated under various names including Binfield Trade Cars, Budget Trade Cars, Budget Car Sales, Compare Trade Cars and Crown Auto Motors, from his premises in Moor Lane, Binfield.

He was convicted of four counts of supplying an article for use in fraud, after selling customers used cars with altered service books suggesting the cars had been serviced when they had not; two counts for possession of an article for use in fraud, where he had in his possession two false stamps used in service books, four altered service books, and 13 blank warranty booklets.

The remaining seven counts were for dishonestly making false representations to customers who bought used cars from him.

These false claims amounted to telling customers the cars had a full service history when they did not and in one instance when he falsely stated that a car was in excellent condition.

Anyone that has concerns about illegal activities relating to the sale of vehicles should contact 01635 519930.