A Downend man has pleaded guilty to 20 charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994, involving the sale of counterfeit clothing at a market held at Filton recreation ground.
Luckwinder Singh, 22, of Badminton Road, Downend, appeared at Northavon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 5th October and admitted possessing fake clothing for sale. He also asked the court to take into consideration a further 24 similar offences.
Singh was sentenced to a four month community order, was ordered to pay full costs of £2924.62 and a forfeiture order was also made for his vehicle and all of the counterfeit stock.
The community order was in the form of a curfew that restricts Singh from leaving his home between the hours of 7pm and 6am, seven days a week, for a period of four months.
The prosecution was brought by South Gloucestershire trading standards after investigations identified Singh’s illegal activities at Filton market. In December 2009 officers from trading standards and Avon and Somerset Police raided the market, where Singh was arrested and a large number of counterfeit items were seized from his stall and his vehicle. The vehicle, a Mercedes Sprinter used by Singh to operate his counterfeiting enterprise was also seized at the time. A warrant was later executed at Singh’s home address where further counterfeit items were seized.
In total 471 items of clothing bearing unauthorised trade marks from brands including Timberland, Adidas, Nike, Diesel and McKenzie were seized.
In court it was established that upon arrest, Singh had initially admitted to trading in counterfeit goods for eight months and stated that his father was his supplier. He later changed his story claiming that he had been totally responsible for the market stall and sourcing the stock and claimed to have only been involved in trading counterfeit clothing for a few months.
Singh admitted he was fully aware that he was selling fakes and it was estimated that during his eight months of trading his profits would have exceeded £4,000.
Cllr Heather Goddard, executive member for community services, said: “The activities of counterfeit sellers harm legitimate retailers in South Gloucestershire. We have proved yet again that we will do everything in our power to protect the interests of honest businesses by eliminating the trade in fake goods across the district.”
Mark Pullin, trading standards and licensing manager commented: “We are very pleased that Singh has admitted his guilt at an early stage and that he has been given an appropriate sentence. This type of trading will not be tolerated in South Gloucestershire and it should be stressed that Singh has not only suffered financially, but he has also lost his vehicle and stock, as well as having his liberty severely restricted by the imposition of a curfew order.”
Anyone wishing to report sales of counterfeit goods can report it in complete confidence to Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
Source: South Gloucestershire Council
