Fake football shirt sellers sentenced

Robert Jenkins, 23, who lives near Guilsfield, close to Welshpool, was prosecuted for selling 700 items with partner in crime Michael Craddock, 28, of Wolverhampton, including fake Manchester United and Manchester City kit.

They also sold other replica clothing from brands such as Ralph Lauren.

The pair's scam ended when Powys Trading Standards purchased their fake items on eBay which were deemed counterfeit by the brand holders.

Two premises in Hereford were then raided where about 300 fake goods worth about £22,000 were seized, which also included fake Microsoft software.

Jenkins admitted seven charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and Craddock admitted eight. They were sentenced last Thursday at Llandrindod

Wells Magistrates Court, and received 12-month community orders, were ordered to do 250 hours unpaid work and pay £1,925 costs.

Powys County Council said Jenkins and Craddock were trading through two eBay accounts and had already sold hundreds of items before Trading Standards took action.

Clive Jones, Powys County Council's principal Trading Standards officer with responsibility for special investigations, said: "These defendants had received feedback telling them that they were selling fake goods but continued.

"We have noticed there's a tendency for some people to be tempted to import large quantities of products from wholesale auction sites in the Far East and our investigations have highlighted some supply chains involve counterfeit goods.

"We call upon residents to inform on these types of sellers. Our surveillance on illegal activity involving counterfeiting is increasing and we ask users of auction sites or any person offered suspected counterfeit goods to be vigilant and to warn us of any suspicious sellers through our contact points."

Barry Thomas, the council's cabinet member for Trading Standards, said: "We support legitimate businesses and local taxpayers by targeting illegal shadow economy activities."