Shopkeeper fined after counterfeit goods discovered

A shopkeeper has been sentenced after counterfeit goods were seized at his shop in Radcliffe.

Bury trading standards officers, accompanied by the police and the tobacco detection dog Wagtails, visited Mohammed Amir’s shop Bits n Bobs, in Dale Street, Radcliffe, in July and October 2013.

A variety of counterfeit goods were seized including Thomas the Tank Engine toys, JML personal products including Ped Eggs and EZ Combs, Golden Virginia tobacco and Regal cigarettes.

Amir (aged 36) of Mellor Road, Longsight, Manchester pleaded guilty at Bury Magistrates Court (on 3 March 2015) to seven offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994.

He was fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of £500 and a £50 victim surcharge.

Andrew Johnson, head of trading standards and licensing at Bury Council, said: “We urge consumers not to buy counterfeit goods. Only by not buying fakes can we help stop the organised criminal gangs supplying shoddy and sometimes unsafe goods.

“This is another example of the success of agencies working together to protect the local economy. It is not just big business that suffers as a result of this type of activity, but honest local retailers struggling to compete with the black market.”

Anyone wishing to report counterfeiting can contact Trading Standards on 0161 253 5566 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Press release issued: 11 March 2015.