A COUNTERFEIT trader has been fined for selling fake designer jewellery, after a trading standards raid uncovered hundreds of phony goods.
Olive Taylor, 40, from Kent, pled guilty to offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 when she appeared atEdinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this month.
She was caught after Edinburgh council’s trading standards officers visited the Antiques and Collectors Fair at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston in May 2011.
She was fined £800, and had the fake goods destroyed.
Council officers seized over 900 items of jewellery which included fake versions of popular brand names such as Tiffany, Vivienne Westwood, Cartier, Links of London, Rolex and Juicy Couture.
During the operation officers also discovered several items of UGG, Louis Vuitton, and Marc Jacob fashion accessories.
All the fake goods seized, which included bracelets, necklaces, hair clips, watches, pairs of earrings and 130 other miscellaneous items, were forfeited to Edinburgh Council for destruction.
It is estimated that genuine versions of the 15 different fake brand names would have retailed at a figure of around £120,000.
The majority of these items were being sold for between £5 and £20.
Councillor Robert Aldridge, Environment Leader, said: “This seizure sends a clear message people selling counterfeit goods that our trading standards officers will not hesitate to take them to court.
“Buying counterfeit goods often helps fund organised crime and there is also a health risk attached as many of these items are made from cheap metals which can cause severe allergic reactions when they are worn.
“People often use the phrase ‘it’s too good to be true’. Well if you see something with a designer label and it looks like a bargain think twice before purchasing it.
“I would urge anyone who has any suspicions about fake goods to contact the Council or relevant consumer organisation.”
