Vance storms out after TV grilling

Claim that he pushed a pen up presenter’s nose

CONTROVERSIAL kitchen tycoon Vance Miller featured on the BBC’s “Rogue Traders” programme — the day before Oldham taxpayers find out how much they will have to fork for the bungled court case against him.

And it is claimed that he stuck a pen up the nose of presenter Matt Allwright at the end of a fraught interview.

The consumer affairs programme last night threw the spotlight on the business man who operates from Maple Mill, Hathershaw.

Researchers ordered a kitchen after 350 complains from viewers claiming they had received shoddy goods with missing parts from his companies, which have included Maple Industries, Kitchens Direct Kitchens and Rock Solid Kitchens.

But they had to make around 100 calls and sit through three missed appointments to get it sorted after it arrived with the wrong worktop and cooker, defective doors and a missing fascia.

Other unhappy customers outlined their experiences and Matt said: “When I have drawn attention to this in the past he (Mr Miller) claims his wrongdoing is all history, but it’s not a thing of the past.

“Since then he’s been banned from being a company director until 2014 and faced numerous civil court cases.”

Mr Miller, from Ramsbottom, received a nine-month prison sentence after breaking the country’s first Stop Now order form the Office of Fair Trading ordering him to stop supplying substandard goods.

The programme also told how he has been in prison in a number of countries for crimes including smuggling diamonds, driving offences, assault and kidnap.

He was charged with fraud after a £3 million investigation by Oldham Trading Standards (OTS) — the largest of its kind in the country.

More than 130 police and Trading Standards officers raided Maple Mill and he was accused of passing off chipboard kitchens to customers as solid wood.

However, the 17-week trial collapsed in January when the judge threw it out, describing it as disproportionate and misconceived from the start.

Judge Jonathon Foster QC said that he could not rely on the evidence of OTS head Tony Allen, who masterminded the prosecution.

Mr Allen has been suspended by the council while and investigation is carried out.

Court costs were up to £2 million and Manchester Crown Court was today due to decide what the council will pay.

Mr Miller defended his company on “Rogue Traders”, saying 350 complaints equated to one customer in approximately 180.

He said: “If anyone has a problem with any kitchen that has been bought from me then I will deal with that complaint immediately.”

Throughout the interview, Mr Miller had three of his people filming the interview at Maple Mill.

At one point off camera, he was said to have put a pen up the interviewer’s nose before storming off. He was heard to say on film: “Do not let them out — lock this door until I have gone.”

The BBC crew eventually left the building but only after being stuck in a lift between floors for a short time.