Sentence For West Sussex Fake Band Merch Trader

A man who sold fake rock band hoodies and t-shirts has been sentenced after West Sussex Trading Standards seized more than £18,000 worth of goods at his property.

They included nearly 2,000 fake t-shirts and hoodies.

Officials said Gary Michael Warren of Shripney near Bognor Regis pleaded guilty at Crawley Magistrates Court and was sentenced to a 12 month community order with 130 hours of unpaid work.

Trading Standards were awarded full costs of £5,445.

Warren forfeited the items seized and these will now be recycled.

According to Trading Standards, staff first became aware of Warren in November 2018 when they were contacted by a Trade Mark holder who complained that a website, operated by Warren, was selling counterfeit rock band t-shirts.

Officers made some test purchases and the items were confirmed to be in breach of the Trade Marks Act.

Warren’s home address was searched and 1,943 hoodies and t-shirts were seized.

They had a retail value of more than £18,000.

Richard Sargeant, West Sussex Trading Standards Team Manager, said:

“Selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime. As well as deceiving innocent customers it also takes business away from legitimate traders.

“We are determined to put a stop to counterfeit selling in West Sussex.”

Cllr Deborah Urquhart, responsible for the environment at West Sussex County Council, added:

“Residents concerned about the sale of fake, counterfeit products should contact our Trading Standards team.

"This outcome sends a strong message that we will take action against dishonest traders.”