Market trader sold poppies but kept money for himself

A MARKET trader sold poppies for profit – depriving veterans and their families, a court heard yesterday.

Barry Downs, 64, admitted infringing the Royal British Legion trademark by selling hundreds of £2.99 poppy brooches and key rings – and keeping the money for himself.

Trading standards were tipped off about his stall in Stanley, Co Durham, before RememPROFITEER Barry Downs brance Sunday last year. They found 287 poppy brooches and “similar items” for sale, and 182 in his van, worth £1,500. Downs, of Kibblesworth, Gateshead, was ordered to do 80 hours’ unpaid work and pay £950 costs, at Newton Aycliffe magistrates court. He said outside court: apologise profusely.” Peter Milne, of the Legion, said: “Buying poppies from official sources helps us to support veterans.” “I