A man who ran a number of renewable energy businesses has been prosecuted for fraud after leaving customers thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Jonathan Alan Vidler, of Tor View, Camelford, pleaded guilty to four counts of fraudulent trading under the s.993 of the Companies Act 2003 and one fraud offence under the Fraud Act 2006.
The prosecution followed an extensive investigation by Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team, which began in October 2023.
Vidler, aged 61, traded through a number of businesses, including Jonathan Alan Vidler (Consulting) Limited, Net Zero (Energy) 2050 Limited and Energy Consulting & Contracting Limited.
Trading Standards identified a pattern of complaints involving customers paying large sums for solar-panel installations and associated equipment where work was delayed, left incomplete or not carried out.
The investigation also identified allegations involving payments for equipment that was not supplied, misleading information about materials and delays, failures to provide refunds and contractors not being paid for work they had undertaken.
The case involved evidence relating to 23 consumers, one charitable trust and four contractors. The value of the losses incurred as a result of his fraud was £180,000.
On Friday, November 6, at Truro Crown Court, Vidler was sentenced to three years imprisonment, which was suspended for three years due to his poor health.
Gary Webster, Trading Standards Group Leader at Cornwall Council, said: "This was a significant and lengthy investigation involving a large number of victims and a substantial body of evidence.
"Vidler used his experience in the industry to gain the trust of his customers. He then left them, and the subcontractors he employed, facing significant financial losses.
"His dishonesty has had a significant and lasting impact on his victims."
Councillor Thalia Marrington, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Safety and Public Health at Cornwall Council, added: "Our Trading Standards team works hard to protect consumers across Cornwall.
"When traders fall short of the law, we will take action, and I hope this case acts as a strong deterrent to others.
"I would also like to thank the victims in this case who supported our Trading Standards team in securing this prosecution."
Press release issued on November 12, 2026