A FORMER policeman has been fined after his car sales business sold a "deathtrap" to a female motorist.

Mohammed Saleem Patel, 39, of Ripon Street, Blackburn, was out of the country when the deal was done, but was told he was responsible, whether he was present or not.

Hyndburn magistrates were told that the Renault Megane Scenic had major problems with its transmission and wiring, and the steering was in "imminent danger of total failure".

But the salesman at Awesome Car Sales, Queen Street, Great Harwood, told the buyer that the noise coming from the engine was "normal for automatics", the court was told.

Patel admitted selling a car in a dangerously unroadworthy condition in July 2006 and was fined £600, with £600 costs. Nicolas McNamara, prosecuting, said the car was bought by a Mrs Susan Edwards, who lived on the Wirral.

A week after getting the car home, she took it to a local garage and it identified major problems with the steering, transmission and electrical wiring.

A consultant engineer, who prepared a report for Lancashire Trading Standards, said the steering was in "imminent danger of total failure".

Post-accident repair work had resulted in the engine and gear box being inadequately secured, causing severe vibration. Electrical wiring connecting the radio had simply been twisted together, and other bare wires were visible with the risk of electrical failure or short-circuit and fire, the court was told.

Simon Farnsworth, defending, said his client, a former policeman, no longer owned the car sales pitch, now run by the Long Motor Group.

He said the car was bought in and sold on by a salesman and Patel, who had qualified as a mechanic after leaving the police force, had been out of the country. He said that after a hearing at Birkenhead County Court, Patel was ordered to pay Mrs Edwards £1,850 compensation, £120 interest, and £100 court costs.