Mr Justice half-year report

Jun 22 2008 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

I‘VE been inundated with complaints from across the region over the last six months.

And while my half-year report shows a lot of success, I suspect there will be more to come.

For I will still be here to fight on behalf of readers who get a raw deal.

As I catch my breath on a new spate of complaints here’s a round-up of cases so far this year.

JANUARY: I exposed a cheeky promotion by Thomson Holidays.

The bungling tour operator sent Carly Stobbs and Thomas Griffiths, of Peterlee, County Durham, a mock-up brochure reminding them of last year’s holiday in the hope of getting a new booking.

Only one problem: they didn’t go.

Thomson had pulled the plug on their chosen hotel because they were overbooked.

Bosses admitted the gaffe.

FEBRUARY: It was snow joke for Colin Odgen on his winter holiday in the Italian alps.

Two snowboards, worth £1000, vanished from outside a hotel.

His fault? Not really. Not when reps from Panorama Holidays had instructed him to leave them there awaiting collection for the journey home.

Colin, of Hebburn, South Tyneside, got a cheque after I took up the complaint with the holiday company.

MARCH: There was a result for Samantha Naylor in a row over a conservatory.

Wickes Building Supplies had to repeatedly carry out repairs.

Finally Samantha, of Quarrington Hill, County Durham, agreed to accept compensation of £3500 after my intervention. Bosses agreed to the payout after launching an investigation into the long-running dispute.

APRIL: There was an unexpected leaving present for Karen and Peter Chappell when they left energy suppliers npower for a rival.

It was a bill for £750. Did they owe it? Did they heck.

Npower said a meter reading taken by the new supplier was incorrect.

And when all was said and done the couple, of Aycliffe Village, County Durham, were actually owed £800.

MAY: I revealed how driver Sydney Duffy was clocked for speeding at 35mph in a 30mph zone.

A fair cop, guv? Not, I argued, when his wife Rovina had an epileptic fit in the passenger seat.

Sydney, of Penrith, Cumbria, said his foot slipped on the accelerator when Rovina started to convulse.

Police insisted Sydney faced court . . . where he won.

JUNE: A bungling insurance company messed up a couple’s payment on a cancer claim.

Bright Grey proved themselves not very bright at all after overpaying Scott and Carolyn Sawyer by £2000.

It was part of a critical illness policy which paid out when Carolyn became ill.

The couple, of Blyth, Northumberland, were allowed to keep the overpayment.

Another highlight was a refund for driver David Stainton.

David told me how his £34,000 Dodge was a disappointment after spending more time in the garage for repairs than on the road.

Dealership Kings Chrysler (Jeep) Stockton did not always return my calls.

David finally got his money back but was prevented from talking to me by a confidentiality agreement.