A man from Brynmawr has been fined for advertising and selling counterfeit clothing.
Kristian Paul Davies, aged 38, of Alma Street, Brynmawr, was advertising and selling counterfeit clothing and footwear by displaying it for sale on Facebook selling sites, as well as on his own personal Facebook page. Davies was first observed advertising in November 2021 and a warning visit was paid to his home address by °¬˛ćAƬ Council’s Trading Standards Officers.
Davies did not follow the advice provided and was again observed selling counterfeit goods on Facebook in December 2021 and January 2022. Davies alleged that the reason he was selling counterfeit clothing was to get money to buy Christmas presents. He claimed that the reason he had carried on selling despite receiving an initial warning to cease the activity was because he had already paid for the items and was awaiting delivery.
Charges were submitted under Section 92 of the Trade Marks Act 1994 to cover the possession and advertising of counterfeit goods bearing registered Trade Marks.
Davies entered a guilty plea for all 5 offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994. He was fined ÂŁ180 for first two offences, which was reduced to ÂŁ120 for the early plea; ordered to pay a victim surcharge of ÂŁ30 and costs of ÂŁ2,500.
°¬˛ćAƬ Council’s Cabinet Member for Place & Environment, Cllr Helen Cunningham says:
“The sale of counterfeit goods harms local economies and works against genuine businesses struggling to complete on an even playing field. In this case the seller was warned to stop advertising and selling through Facebook but ignored these warnings and continued to sell. In the circumstances the action taken by Trading Standards received was proportionate and justified.”