Shopkeeper fined more than £1,800 for selling fake branded goods

A man who was found with a stash of fake branded goods in his possession has been ordered to pay more than £1,800.
A shirt bearing the Lacoste logo.A shirt bearing the Lacoste logo.
A shirt bearing the Lacoste logo.

Durham County Council’s trading standards team investigated Kamran Adil’s business in Blackhall, County Durham, in November last year.

After undergoing a search of the shop, known as The Winestore, items of counterfeit clothing and a fake set of GHD hair straighteners were found by officers in the storeroomat the back of the premises.

A jumper bearing the Nike logo.A jumper bearing the Nike logo.
A jumper bearing the Nike logo.
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The items included clothing bearing brands such as Ellesse, Lacoste and Nike.

The 47 year-old, of Halterburn Close, Gosforth, pleaded guilty to four charges of possession of counterfeit goods when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, September 26.

The defendant claimed he wore the items when he decorated.

He was fined £1,200 and ordered to pay £602.99 in costs and a victim surcharge of £120.

A fake set of GHD hair straighteners.A fake set of GHD hair straighteners.
A fake set of GHD hair straighteners.

Joanne Waller, Durham County Council’s head of environment, health and consumer protection, said: “Selling, offering and possessing for sale counterfeit goods are serious offences which carry a potential jail term of up to 10 years and unlimited fines.

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“The sale of fake goods not only deceives customers and harm legitimate retailers, they can also pose a serious safety risk, particularly with fake electrical items such as hairstyling products.

“We will continue to investigate this type of crime in County Durham and take the necessary action against anyone found to be selling such items.

"No one is above the law.”