Christian Price from Ebbw Vale pleaded guilty to nine Trade Marks Act charges. He received a 3 year conditional discharge. Costs were awarded in full in the sum of £844.33 and a victim surcharge in the sum of £80.00. An order was also made for the forfeiture and destruction of the goods.
The case came to light when a Trading Standards officer from Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen County Borough Council conducted a routine inspection of Facebook and witnessed the individual advertising and selling potential counterfeit clothing, footwear, perfume jewellery on the Blaenau Gwent Buy Sell and Swap group. Images were posted of goods purporting to be Pandora bracelets, Paco Rabanne perfume and aftershave, Ralph Lauren hoodies, Adidas and Hollister tracksuits and Nike footwear amongst others.
Further investigations identified that Mr Price was storing the goods at a property in Ebbw Vale. Officers executed an entry warrant at this property where approximately 100 counterfeit goods were seized. If these items were genuine they would have a street value of approximately £6500 - £7000.
Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Environment Garth Collier from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council said:
“The sale of counterfeit goods through social media sites such as Facebook is illegal and will not be tolerated. It is a threat to the local economy and to local businesses. Trading Standards will continue to regularly monitor social media sites and take action where appropriate. Consumers should think carefully before they purchase designer goods online and sometimes low prices may seem too good to be true. Anyone who believes they have been sold counterfeit goods should contact our Trading Standards team for advice.”