Trader sold fake England World Cup shirts and Ray-Ban sunglasses
A man from the Black Country who sold counterfeit goods including England World Cup 2014 replica shirts has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Boyd Talbot, aged 32, was also ordered to pay back £16,250 within three months following a Proceeds of Crime investigation - or face nine months in jail.
In May 2014, two properties associated with Talbot, of Oldbury Street, Wednesbury, were raided by Sandwell Council Trading Standards and West Midlands Police officers after a probe found he was selling counterfeit goods through Facebook and eBay.
A total of 620 counterfeit England replica shirts were seized along with 146 other counterfeit products, including Ray-Ban sunglasses, T25 fitness programmes and Alpinestar motorcycle gloves.
During the investigation it was found Talbot had sold 500 England replica shirts prior to the seizure.
The combined street value of the sold and seized England replica shirts alone was £100,800, with the other goods valuing at a total of £14,000.
He pleaded guilty to 10 charges related to the sale of counterfeit products.
Talbot was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for two years and given a 150-hour community punishment order.
The sentence was handed down on July 26 at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Speaking afterwards, Bob Charnley, Sandwell Council's trading standards and licensing manager, said: "This sentence sends out a clear message that the sale of counterfeit products will not be tolerated.
"We will track down sellers and ensure that the necessary enforcement action is taken with a view to recovering profits through Proceeds of Crime."
Cabinet member for public health and protection, Councillor Preet Gill, added: "Counterfeiting can seem like a victimless crime but the reality is it causes damage to retailers of genuine products and has a detrimental effect on the UK economy, both on employment and tax revenue.
"Hopefully, the sentence handed down will deter other people who may be involved in or considering becoming involved in such illegal activities."
Mr Charnley said anyone suspecting the sale of counterfeit goods should report it to the Citizens Advice consumer services helpline on 03454 040506 or on the anonymous Centsa Hotline https://centsa.org.uk/anonymous-hotline.
