Phil Watson "The Timeshare Lord" was today part of a discussion group with presenter Vernon Harwood on BBC Radio Somerset talking about the recent demise of St. Frances Marketing Ltd based in Exeter, who were operating a "Holiday Club" scam involving hundreds of victims. The company had recently been taken to court by Devon Trading Standards for "unfair trading" where 5 senior staff were ordered to pay £150000 in costs. Unfortunately, they were spared a potential two year prison sentence because they all pleaded guilty. The decision not to jail the five defendants who ran this scam company has been criticised by ABTA for not being a strong enough deterrent. ABTA risk manager Steve Abrahamson said "It was disappointing they weren't given custodial sentences. However, I am pleased that Devon Trading Standards bought action against the company and the individuals concerned and hope that it sends a strong message that these types of practices won't be tolerated." Members of the public were generally cold called and told that they had won a free holiday and in order to claim the prize they had to attend a presentation. It was at this presentation that customers were conned into paying between £8000 and £17000, and some were persuaded to take on finance to pay. Judge Philip Wassall of the Exeter Crown Court said the practises were "wholesale and systematic, adding their customers were nothing but their "victims". During the show we heard from one of the members Carol Richards ...