Couple sold counterfeit jewellery on eBay

A man and woman from Shropshire have been handed a fine and community order for selling more than £8,000 of counterfeit jewellery on eBay.

Sarah Ann Everley, 42, and Vincent Smith, 55, of Quatford, near Bridgnorth, appeared at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court yesterday.

The couple admitted a string of charges related to selling items including bracelets, bangles and necklaces likely to be mistaken for Tiffany & Co products. Both were ordered to pay £1,169.36 and were handed a 12-month community order involving 200 hours of unpaid work.

Everley faced four counts of selling and offering or exposing for sale goods bearing a false trade mark.

Smith faced four counts of selling and offering or exposing for sale goods bearing a false trade mark. He faced a further charge of engaging in a commercial practice which is a misleading action containing false information.

Between April and October 2010, the couple sold more than 300 items with more than £8,000 paid into their PayPal accounts.

Mr Mike Davies, prosecuting, said trading standards officials detected the activity of the couple after launching an investigation to identify rogue traders.

He said: "Anyone receiving the items would think they were the real product. They looked of good quality but the reality is they were not. There was a clear profit making opportunity. They realised the items were counterfeit but despite that they described them as Tiffany & Co."

Mrs Ceri Lewis, defending, said the couple sold the items to make extra cash after going through a financial "hard patch".

She said: "Up until when they were arrested they did not believe they were doing anything wrong."