South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 23/03/2012

Balvinder Singh and his son Harminder Singh, both of Westbourne Road, Downend, appeared before Northavon Magistrates Court on Monday 13 February where they were found guilty of offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994.

Dad Balvinder Singh pleaded guilty to two offences of selling counterfeit goods under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and will now be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court in March.

His son Harminder Singh was found guilty of 12 offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994, relating to possessing counterfeit clothing. He was sentenced with a 2 year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1,000 prosecution costs.

Trading standards officers seized around 250 items of counterfeit stock similar to well known fashion brands including G Star, Super Dry, Adidas, Nike and Fred Perry.

Officers were first alerted to the duo in October 2009 after they received reports from a brand holder that counterfeit goods were being sold at a market in the Filton area. An officer visited the market and was able to buy a pair of counterfeit jeans and polo shirt from market stalls operated by Balvinder Singh.

Police were alerted and a warrant was executed at their home address in October 2010 where the fake clothing was found in two vehicles parked on the driveway.

Cllr James Hunt, executive member for communities, said: “Trading standards are fighting to protect our legitimate traders and consumers from counterfeiters and this case sends out a clear message – crime does not pay.”

Neil Derrick, trading standards senior enforcement officer, said: “The trade in counterfeit goods is against the law and therefore we would discourage anyone from knowingly purchasing these types of substandard items and therefore supporting this illegal trade.”