North Lincolnshire Council’s Trading Standards team have secured a conviction against Scunthorpe man Jonathan Ford for selling counterfeit trainers through Facebook.
Jon Ford sold counterfeit footwear through his Facebook profile using various Facebook selling sites across Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Lincolnshire.
He admitted to selling the counterfeit ‘Nike’ trainers and admitted that the items were not genuine.
After being alerted to the counterfeit goods in July 2017 by a member of the public, the Trading Standards team began investigating.
Mr Ford was informed by Trading Standards that the items he was selling on Facebook were counterfeit but he continued to sell the goods. Surveillance of Mr Ford’s Facebook page and a test purchase by Trading Standards provided evidence that Mr Ford was selling counterfeit goods.
He appeared in Grimsby Magistrates Court on Friday 10 May 2019 on a charge of a trademark offence. He pleaded guilty to selling the counterfeit trainers.
Mr Ford was given a 12 month conditional discharge, ordered to pay a £300 towards the costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Trading Standards welcome any information from the public on the sale of counterfeit products from any premises or persons in North Lincolnshire.
You can report anyone selling counterfeit products in North Lincolnshire by calling 03454 04 05 06, emailing trading.standards@northlincs.gov.uk or via www.facebook.com/northlincstradingstandards.
Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for safer communities, said:
“This case should serve as a warning to all who trade in counterfeit goods – you will be caught and prosecuted.
“Selling counterfeit goods is a criminal offence and offenders will receive a criminal record, and risk a prison sentence if found guilty.
“Counterfeit goods will be of poor quality and can be dangerous, so I would ask people please do not buy these goods as you would be supporting the criminal gangs who supply and distribute these goods.
“This black market activity affects genuine businesses on the high street and the economy as a whole so if you have any concerns about illicit goods being sold, please contact Trading Standards as we rely on information from the public to help catch these criminals.
“We advise people to only buy from a reputable supplier. Buying counterfeit goods isn’t worth the risk.”
