A SHOPKEEPER has been convicted of peddling potentially dangerous fake branded lighters to customers.

Harpreet Singh, 31, admitting to a string of trademark and safety offences after lighters he was selling were seized during a Trading Standards inspection.

The Northern Echo:

The Middlesbrough trader had stocked lighters that appeared to represent well-known brands including BMW, Liverpool Football Club, Manchester City Football Club, Jack Daniels and Zippo.

A number of novelty lighters modelled on small toy guns, small swords, watches and binoculars were also seized following a European-wide ban on toy-like items imposed in 2007 due to their appeal to children.

Singh, of Falkland Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to a total of 18 charges, including 13 relating to product safety and five trademark offences after appearing in Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 1.

Middlesbrough Council Trading Standards team pursued the case to protect customers led to believe that the fake products on sale had been endorsed and manufactured by respected brands and would therefore be safe to use.

Jim McCluskey, principal Trading Standards officer at Middlesbrough Council, said: “Safety standards are in place to protect the public and in this case the trader had not taken any steps to check the lighters complied with the requirements and were not appealing to children.

“The presence of trademarks of reputable organisations may have further misled the public into believing the goods were approved by leading brands, with the expectation that they had been tested to stringent safety standards.”

High standards of safety for lighters are crucial since their use generally creates a close proximity between a naked flame and the user’s face.

A decision was also carried in Europe in 2016 to stipulate that all models of lighters must carry proof of child resistance to show the product has passed safety checks.

The EU rule was introduced in a bid to protect children from the dangers of the misuse of cigarette lighters.

Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for adult social care and public health, said: “Our officers monitor all goods offered for sale in Middlesbrough against safety regulations.

“They are available to offer advice and guidance to any trader who requires it – in this case this has now been given and we are confident that the advice will be followed.”

The case was adjourned by magistrates to Tuesday, September 5, when sentencing options for Singh will be considered.