Three Barrovians were today sentenced for running a counterfeit clothing business from their homes following a Cumbria Trading Standards investigation.
Lynden Bowker, 42, of Romney Road, Barrow was sentenced to 150 days imprisonment by District Judge Chalk sitting at Kendal Magistrates Court.
Jackie Williams, 40, also of Romney Road, Barrow was sentenced to 120 days imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
William's daughter, Chloe Willams, 21, of Tay Court, Barrow was ordered to carry out 120 hours of community service.
At an earlier hearing, all three had pleaded not guilty to a total of 48 charges relating to the sale and supply of counterfeit clothing. They were found guilty after a two day trial.
In August 2006, after received complaints, Cumbria Trading Standards sent an undercover officer to the house on Romney Road to buy counterfeit gear. He was shown upstairs by Jackie Williams, who is known locally as 'Tracky Jackie'. What he saw in the bedroom were large quantities of clothes and trainers laid out ‘shop style’.
Raids by police and Trading Standards later the same day resulted in counterfeit items with a high street value of £27,000 being seized from the houses on Romney Road and Tay Court.
In sentencing, District Judge Chalk said: "Jackie Williams and Lynden Bowker were involved in a substantial, illegal counterfeiting organisation and made substantial profit. They were the principals behind the operation."
Phil Ashcroft, Head of Cumbria Trading Standards who brought the prosecution, said "Counterfeiters can make significant sums of money, but I hope that the severity of these sentences and the threat of having to repay money obtained through their criminal actions will act as a deterrent to others."
Ruth Orchard, Director-General of the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) said: "Sellers of fake gear like this may seem harmless but they are just the tip of a very nasty iceberg. Behind them lie a global network of major criminals who use the profits they make from fakes of all kinds to fund many other serious crimes.
"Cumbria Trading Standards are to be congratulated for this splendid result. Our members rely on trading standards to catch these criminals and to protect consumers and legitimate industry and we are very grateful for their sterling work."
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337
Notes
The charges were brought under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.