Successful Prosecution By Merthyr Tydfil’s Trading Standards

On the 15th February, 2017, a market trader dealing in counterfeits pleaded guilty at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court to offences under the Trade Marks and Copyright, Designs and Patents Act following a raid and subsequent investigation carried out by Merthyr Tydfil Trading Standards Service. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The court was told by prosecuting solicitor Joe Murphy that Peter Humphreys of Fairwater, Cardiff had a stall on the outdoor market in Merthyr Tydfil where in the course of his business he was found in possession of counterfeit jewellery and watches which bore brands such as Pandora, Breitling, Ice, Diesel, Hello Kitty and Marvel comics. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Humphreys was sentenced to a 12 month community order which included a 12 week curfew, and was also ordered to pay costs and court charges to the total of £1080. A forfeiture and destruction order was also made in relation to the illicit goods. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Paul Lewis, Trading Standards Manager, states: “The sale of counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime and has implications for consumers and reputable businesses.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Chris Barry, Portfolio member for Trading Standards, stated “Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council strives to attract high end quality retailers, such as the likes of Pandora, to our town. What was most concerning in this case was that the counterfeiter was operating on the same high street as the legitimate company. We have made the protection and support of legitimate business a priority for the Local Authority and we will continue to undertake robust enforcement action in support of our local economy”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

All information is treated in the strictest confidence. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​