A FAKE architect who made false claims about his profession has been fined thousands of pounds.

Alan Green, owner of A9 Architecture Ltd in Benfleet was warned repeatedly about his continued habit of using the title architect despite not being registered.

The Architects Registration Board first contacted Green regarding the use of title architect in 2012, and he had been made aware of the legislation protecting the use of the title on several occasions since 2014.

But while he made some changes he continued illegally using the title until he was sentenced at Southend Magistrates’ Court on October 30.

Green, who runs the business in London Road, Hadleigh, admitted four counts of being an unregistered person carrying on a business claiming the word architect.

He also admitted four similar offences on behalf of the business during March and April this year.

Despite having had no architect in control of its architectural work since 2015, the term was used across the company website and pricing policy, as well as its Twitter, Yell and LinkedIn profiles.

The court heard about the prolonged nature of the offending.

The court’s attention was also drawn to the potential effect of this misleading information would have on members of the public.

Having taken into account Green’s early guilty plea, the court made an order of £3,378.13 against him and £5,100 against A9 Architecture Limited in addition to the criminal convictions.

A spokesman for the Architects Registration Board said it hoped the prosecution “will act as a deterrent for those who may otherwise have used the title illegally”.

Green and A9 Architecture Limited have 28 days to make any necessary changes.

The spokesman said the board will continue to monitor their trading style and take further appropriate action as necessary.

The Architects Registration Board maintain the register prescribing the qualifications needed to become an architect and laying down the standards of professional conduct for architects. It also investigates allegations of misconduct or professional incompetence or in this case misuse and misrepresentation of the name.