Council prosecutes woman who traded in fake designer goods

Trading Standards officers from Cheshire East Council have secured a successful prosecution against a woman who sold fake branded goods on the Internet.

Tanya Fletcher, of McNeill Avenue, Crewe, appeared before South Cheshire Magistrates at Crewe on 18 May, charged with offences under the Fraud and Trademarks Act.

The council’s trading standards team launched an investigation after spotting her advertisements for expensive ‘branded’ clothing being offered for sale at cheap prices on her social media account.

Items included a pair of fake Balenciaga trainers, which retail at £500, being sold for just £30. She also advertised counterfeit Gym King, North Face and Adidas-branded track suits, as well as several other fake designer-branded products.

The court was told that trading standards officers sent photographs of the goods to the manufacturers and six of them confirmed the clothing were fakes. Other fake brands included Moncler, Hugo Boss, Ted Baker, Calvin Klein, Ugg, Nike, Armani and Converse.

Fletcher (35) pleaded guilty to selling goods bearing a false trademark and operating a fraudulent business. Her solicitor told the court she believed it would be obvious to customers that the goods were not genuine.

Councillor Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council chair of environment and communities said afterwards: “To sell or attempt to sell fake designer goods in this manner is a fraud on the public and on the manufacturers, while also harming retailers of genuine branded products.

“This sends out a message that our trading standards team are always vigilant and will prosecute in these circumstances.”  

The defendant was given a conditional discharge for 18 months, ordered to pay £250 in costs, with a £20 victim surcharge.