DARLINGTON Council has warned rogue traders to think twice before selling fake goods following another successful prosecution.

Ian Bayles of Hundens Lane, Darlington, pleaded guilty to a total of 14 offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 at Darlington Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that Mr Bayles had counterfeit goods in his home, with a view to distributing them, after he had advertised them through his Facebook account.

After receiving an anonymous tip-off that Bayles was supplying counterfeit goods, Trading Standards obtained a warrant to search his home.

The team, accompanied by officers from Durham Police, seized a quantity of suspected counterfeit goods, including Nike trainers, Ugg slippers, Adidas tracksuits, a Michael Kors handbag and Beats Pill portable stereo speaker that were stored in the living room ready for distribution, along with business records.

Samples were sent to the trademark holders who confirmed that the goods were indeed counterfeit.

The case was heard on August 8 and magistrates sentenced Bayles to 40 hours unpaid work to be completed within a year.

He was ordered to pay £1064 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Councillor Chris McEwan, the council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “Counterfeiting is sometimes seen as a victimless crime, but the supply of cheap and inferior fake goods damages the trade of legitimate businesses in the borough.

“I hope that this conviction acts as a strong warning and deterrent to anyone else who is selling fake goods locally.”

A spokesperson for Durham Police said “We often support Trading Standards in their operations to tackle the illegal trade in counterfeit goods. Trading in such items can and does result in criminal convictions”.

Dawn Taylor, principal officer, Trading Standards and Animal Health, added: “Darlington Trading Standards does all it can to enforce brand protection laws in order to protect consumers and legitimate traders.

“People who sell counterfeit goods believing they are less likely to get caught because they are selling online should think again.

“I am sure this particular individual has learnt a valuable lesson that crime does not pay.”