Counterfeit clothing seller tackled by Newport trading standards

A Newport man accused of selling and possessing counterfeit clothing and handbags was ordered to pay nearly £20,000 when he appeared in Cardiff Crown Court on 21 December, 2011.
 
The defedant was required to pay £16,658.59 under a Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation order, fined £1,500 and told to pay £1,500 costs. He was also sentenced to 160 hours unpaid work.
 
A trading standards investigation began in August 2010 when officers discovered a Newport-based Ebay seller advertising what appeared to be counterfeit clothing and handbags. A Lacoste polo shirt and Juicy Couture handbag were purchased, both of which proved to be counterfeit. A subsequent raid at the home resulted in 43 counterfeit items being seized along with his computer.

A financial investigation into his activities showed that he had sold products worth around £22,000 through his Ebay account.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the Trade Marks Act 1994 offences on the basis he did not know the products were counterfeit. However, this basis of plea was not accepted by the judge.

He was ordered to pay the £16,658.59 within 28 days or face a 12-month custodial sentence in default. However, even if he did have to serve the sentence, he would still be required to satisfy the confiscation order.

All the seized items were forfeited for destruction by the court.

Councillor William Routley, cabinet member for regulation, said: "Newport City Council is committed to taking action on all forms of counterfeiting, whether on the high street or the internet.

"Consumers and businesses alike face detriment as a result of this activity. The level of punishment in this case sends out a strong message that dealing in counterfeit goods comes with a hefty penalty."