£20k made from selling useless bars

AN “irresponsible” ex-body builder made more than £20,000 by selling useless protein bars from a bogus brand at a gym, a court heard.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Giles Havenhand also fraudulently claimed his products were endorsed by champion body builder Justin Trollope.

But Mr Trollope stated during an investigation he had nothing to do with them.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge William Gaskell told the defendant: “You sold a grossly inferior product in breach of all the regulations.”

The court heard Havenhand was the sole director of a company called Complete Supplements Limited, which targeted the body building market.

Kayleigh Simmons, prosecuting, said Trading Standards carried out an operation last year focusing on premises in Caerphilly that sold sports nutrition products. The team visited Platinum Fitness Centre in Bargoed, which was run by Mr Trollope – a well-known body builder.

Prosecutors said the team took three samples for testing, including a protein bar and flapjack.

The protein bar claimed on the label to contain 80g of protein per 100g, which testing showed to be inaccurate.

Ms Simmons said the defendant also failed to list any ingredients to which consumers might be allergic, such as milk and soya.

When interviewed the defendant claimed those products were “samples only”. He added he would have made proper packaging containing the correct nutritional information if an order was placed.

But Judge Gaskell noted the products taken from Platinum Fitness Centre for testing were on sale at the time.

The team discovered photographs of Mr Trollope on the defendant’s website, implying he endorsed the products.

Mr Trollope stated he had met Havenhand through body building competitions but had never given him permission to use his name or picture.

The defendant claimed he took his website down because it was not generating enough business and said his company went into liquidation in February.

Prosecutors said he made around £20,000 profit from the business.

Havenhand, 49, from Main Street in Nottingham, pleaded guilty to 12 counts, including failing to comply with food safety regulations. He also admitted being a trader engaged in misleading commercial practice and carrying on a business with intent to defraud.

Lowri Wyn Morgan, defending, said: “He embarked on this business following ill health, which resulted from him taking substances himself that had not been properly tested.”

She said he had suffered bereavements, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and suffered from back pain. She added: “He is deeply sorry.” The judge told Havenhand his offending was “grossly irresponsible”.

He was given an eight-month jail term, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.