A seller of counterfeit goods has been sentenced to 150 hours of community service and ordered to pay £2577.50 in costs.
Phillip Glossop, 49, of Weymouth, was sentenced at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on 23 April. At an earlier hearing, Mr Glossop pleaded guilty to seven charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994, in relation to selling and possessing counterfeit goods and possessing transfers for making counterfeit items.
The court heard that initially, Dorset County Council Trading Standards Service had received a complaint from the Rugby Football Union about a counterfeit shirt supplied by Funky Penguin Ltd, trading as Hoodie Heaven. Mr Glossop, along with his wife, were directors of the company at the time. There were no employees.
A subsequent visit by trading standards officers revealed further counterfeit stock, transfers for a considerable number of trade marks and equipment for applying the designs to clothing. The items were seized and samples sent for examination by trade mark holders. These included many Star Wars related items. All of those examined were found to be unauthorised copies.
At interview, Mr Glossop claimed not to understand that he was producing counterfeit items but it was discovered he had previously been cautioned by Oxfordshire County Council for the same offences.
Mr Glossop apologised to the court and trade mark holders for his actions. He had signed over the seized items at the first hearing.
The company ceased trading so action was discontinued against it.
Richard Herringshaw, Principal Trading Standards Officer said: “The selling of counterfeit goods not only harms the interests of the trade mark holders, but also those of legitimate traders. We work with trade mark holders to stop such activity.”
“Consumers who want to let us know about trading standards issues, or to complain about any goods or services, should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/.”
Find out more about trading standards law and the work of the county council’s trading standards service: www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/trading-standards