An Anglesey woman who used social media to sell fake designer clothes has been fined.
Yesterday (Wednesday, August 7th), Pauline Marie Williams, of Ty’r Ardd, Bryn Glas, Bodedern, pleaded guilty at Caernarfon Magistrates, to selling counterfeit clothing on ‘for sale’ pages on Facebook.
Anglesey Council Trading Standards had seized nearly 500 fake items of clothing from her premises after an investigation.
During routine monitoring of Facebook selling pages in November 2017, Mrs Williams was found to be selling various branded clothing including ‘Superdry, North Face, Jack Wills, Ralph Lauren, Nike, Givenchy, EA7, Adidas, Hugo Boss, Gym King’ in various colours and sizes, across a range of ‘for sale’ pages.
The court heard how Trading Standards contacted her by direct message on Facebook in November 2017, warning her that selling counterfeit goods was a criminal offence and advising her to ensure that she did not sell branded clothing unless certain they were genuine. Mrs Williams ignored the warning and continued selling.
On the 4th July 2018, an entry warrant was executed at the property. Despite initial claims to not have any counterfeit goods other than a single pair of Nike trainers in the car, a further 478 items were seized from an annex to the main property, which were confirmed to be counterfeit. Forensic analysis of her mobile phone and tablet, seized from the premises, showed that she had received the message in November and following her removal from a for sale page in June, she had commented to an associate that she would continue to sell and ‘…just make another account…’
Mrs Williams, through her legal representative, pleaded guilty to two offences under Trade Marks Act 1994, selling counterfeit products and unauthorised use of Trade Marks, plus one offence under Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
In sentencing, Mrs Williams was ordered to pay a total of £1,030 (comprised £750 fine plus victim surcharge and costs), in addition to a forfeiture order on the 478 items seized from her premises.
Anglesey’s Chief Public Protection Officer, Les Pursglove, welcoming the sentence, adding, “This sends a clear message to anyone thinking of selling counterfeit products to make some quick cash. It will not be tolerated. Counterfeit goods impact brand holders, genuine retailers and the staff they employ. They are not the bargain they may appear as they are of poorer quality and have not undergone the same level of testing as genuine articles. In effect customers are paying £20 for a jumper that is worth £5 plus a badge.”
Public Protection portfolio holder, Councillor Richard Dew, said, “We welcome this conviction and the efforts of the Trading Standards to tackle counterfeit products helping to protect both residents and genuine businesses of Anglesey.”
Ends 8.8.19