Man sold counterfeit goods on Facebook

A MAN has been sentenced to a yearlong community order for selling counterfeit designer goods on Facebook.

Mathew James Carr ran a page on social media called “Matt’s Designer Deals” which offered “designer” goods such as Diesel and Ralph Lauren clothing for sale at prices below market value.

On January 24 Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court heard that during a routine check of social media Merthyr Tydfil’s County Borough Council’s Trading Standards Service discovered the Facebook page.

Officers later carried out covert test purchases and discovered that the Diesel and Ralph Lauren clothing was counterfeit.

A warrant was then executed at Carr’s home in Heol Rhos Las, Gellideg, where other clothing packaged as new and bearing brand names such as Zegna Sports, Abercrombie and Gant was seized.

Samples of the goods were sent for examination and was later confirmed to be counterfeit.

Following the warrant, Carr, 32, continued to advertise on Facebook.

A further test purchase of a Ralph Lauren product was then made.

This was again found to be counterfeit. Carr pleaded guilty to offences under the Trade Marks Act and was granted a 12-month community order.

During this time he has to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £2,117.35.

Trading Standards Manager, Paul Lewis, said the magistrates had been particularly concerned that Carr had continued to sell counterfeit goods after the initial warrant had been made.

He said: “The sale of counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime.

“Our aim is to make Merthyr Tydfil a fake-free town.”

County Borough Council Cabinet member for Regeneration and Public Protection, Councillor Geraint Thomas, said: “The sentence handed down should act as clear warning to anyone considering this type of criminality.

“A thriving economy requires a fair playing field for businesses to operate. Those who seek to undermine our legitimate traders will be robustly dealt with.”

Residents who have any information on the supply of counterfeit goods are urged to contact Trading Standards on 03454 040506.

Alternatively you can also tstandards@merthyr.gov.uk.

All information will be treated in confidence email