Counterfeit Crackdown

A Middlewich man has been sentenced (April 23) to five months behind bars following a crackdown on counterfeit goods in Cheshire East.

The offender was stopped by police officers in August 2007 and a large quantity of fake clothing was found in his van.

The case was passed to Trading Standards Officers who investigated further and confirmed that the items displaying the trade marks of well-known designer brands were not genuine.

The offender was charged with 5 offences relating to the possession of counterfeit goods contrary to the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the counterfeit clothing was confiscated.

The loss to the industry was substantial with the genuine cost of all the goods seized as part of the investigation totalling in excess of £37,000.

Cheshire East Councillor, Brian Silvester, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “This case serves as a stark warning to those involved in the sale or possession of counterfeit goods that our Trading Standards Department will be persistent in this area and not hesitate to take action to protect the local community. We will continue to crackdown on the sale of counterfeit goods in Cheshire East."

Kay Roberts Consumer Protection and Investigations Manager at Cheshire East Council, added: “Counterfeiting is a matter that our Trading Standards department takes seriously.

“It impacts upon the economy with legitimate businesses struggling to complete against rogue traders and infringes upon the rights of registered trade mark holders to the detriment of the industry.”

Anyone with information relating to counterfeit goods or requiring advice should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06