Company director sentenced for counterfeiting offences
This news article was published more than a year ago. Some of the information may no longer be accurate.
Published: 13/10/2014
The director of a Charfield-based company has been sentenced to an eight month sentence suspended for two years at Bristol Crown Court today (Monday 13 October).
Lorraine Eyre, 38, of Longs View, Charfield in South Gloucestershire previously pleaded guilty to 18 charges in relation to possessing and selling counterfeit clothing, bags, headwear and toys.
At the time the offences took place, Eyre was running a business called Tacky.Me.Uk Limited from premises at Old Station Yard, Wotton Road, Charfield. It traded mostly through an online auction site and the Amazon website and focused heavily on selling merchandise with emerging and cult fashion brands, as well as t-shirts featuring bands and pop artists including Justin Bieber and One Direction.
The t-shirts and sweatshirts were sold online around the world making thousands of pounds for the business during a 19-month period between August 2011 and March 2013. It is estimated the company made a profit of £50,000 during this time.
South Gloucestershire Council Trading Standards officers took on the case after receiving complaints from brand holders and other Trading Standards departments relating to misuse of brands on predominantly garments and headwear.
Senior Fair Trade Officer Neil Derrick said: “Following a raid on the business premises and Eyre’s home in January 2013, we brought charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994 relating to the misuse of brands used on. These included well-known brands such as Boy London and Obey and featured pop acts including One Direction, JLS and Justin Bieber.”
Eyre was sentenced for her part in the offences along with the company itself, which was fined a nominal £40 fee as it no longer trades. Action was also taken under the Proceeds of crime Act, which resulted in a confiscation order for the £50,000 profit being made against Ms Eyre. This must be paid within six months and failure to do so will result in an 18 month prison sentence in default. An order was also made for £14,000 in prosecution costs to be paid within six months.
Clothing, equipment and computers seized during the raid will also be forfeited.
Is there anything wrong with this page?
Website feedback
This form is for feedback about our website, not questions or comments about our services.
Follow this link to make a compliment or complaint. For anything else you can contact us here.