ESSEX County Council has fined a man who claimed to sell a cure for cancer.

Steven Cook, 54, who runs www.collodialsilveruk.com, sold a product “Ultimate Colloidal Silver”, a liquid containing silver that he made in his own home.

He was charged with an offence under the Cancer Act and pleaded guilty at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 12. Magistrates imposed a fine of £750 and ordered him to pay £1,500 costs.

The court proceedings were brought about following a Essex Trading Standards investigation.

Cllr Roger Walters, Essex County Council's lead member for Trading Standards, said: "Trading Standards' advice to people who are considering whether to take any substance not prescribed for a medical purpose, either preventative or as a treatment, is to consult their doctor first.

"I hope the public feel safer knowing that Essex Trading Standards will take action where traders are trying to sell products which are neither medically proven nor safe."

Trading Standards said the website implied that the product can cure cancer – and this is an offence under the Cancer Act.

Mr Cook has now updated the website and removed any claims that colloidal silver can cure some cancers.