A solar panel salesman has been ordered to pay £20,000 in compensation after committing trading standards offences in Wiltshire.

Dylan Ryan, 22, and 30-year-old Nico White, both from Poole in Dorset, were sentenced for offences relating to the sales of solar energy panels at Salisbury Crown Court.

Their convictions came after 10 elderly victims across the country, who had solar panels installed by UK Home Energy Group Ltd, contacted Citizens Advice.

This sparked an investigation by Wiltshire Council’s Trading Standards officers.

White, the sole director of the company, had employed Ryan as a salesman.

All the victims were visited by Ryan, following an unsolicited phone call, and he informed them they would be able to sell any excess electricity generated by the panels back to their energy companies.

Following installation, victims found this was untrue because the company failed to supply the required Microgeneration Certification Scheme certificate, preventing them from registering their systems with the National Grid.

Building regulations completion certificates and electrical safety certificates were also not supplied.

READ MORE: Swindon and Wiltshire residents issued rogue trader warning

Ryan also made false claims about customers being able to recoup their money within two to three years, an insurance policy to cover any shortfalls, and a discount due to government grants.

He was ordered to pay £2,000 in compensation to each of his 10 victims, taking the total to £20,000.

White was disqualified from acting as a company director for five years and must also pay £1,980 in costs.

Both men must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay a victim surcharge.

Cllr Dominic Muns, cabinet member for environment, said: “As part of our business plan commitment to protect our residents from harm, rogue traders need to be aware that we will take action and won't tolerate this type of behaviour in Wiltshire.

“Our advice to residents is to thoroughly research any company or business before hiring them to carry out any work.

“Anyone that receives an unsolicited phone call or an unexpected knock on the door has the right to hang up on the caller or say no.

“Don't agree to any work on the spot, ask for the person's ID and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

“Our Trading Standards team do all they can to support people to be aware of the signs of unscrupulous traders, and I want to thank the victims in this case for coming forward and sharing their experiences to help us secure these prosecutions.”