Rodney Simmons, a 51-year-old jeweller from Tandragee, Co Armagh, has been fined £9,000 at Craigavon Crown Court for selling counterfeit designer watches. As the Director of Jans Jewellers Limited, which operates as Faith Jewellers, Simmons faced six charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994, all related to the sale and possession of counterfeit timepieces.
The prosecution was initiated by the Trading Standards Service (TSS) following a complaint regarding counterfeit items sold at the Faith Jewellers location in Rushmere Shopping Centre, Craigavon. TSS officers conducted an inspection of the store, resulting in the seizure of 36 counterfeit watches displayed alongside authentic merchandise, with prices ranging from £249 to £399. Subsequent assessments by brand representatives confirmed the watches’ counterfeit status.
The estimated retail value of the seized counterfeit items was approximately £10,000, and the court mandated the destruction of these goods.
A spokesperson for the TSS remarked, “This case serves as a stark reminder to those who consider profiting from counterfeit goods. Mr. Simmons acquired inexpensive counterfeit watches and sold them at legitimate retail prices, misleading consumers who expect quality associated with reputable brands.
The trade of counterfeit goods undermines the local economy by deceiving consumers, harming legitimate retailers, and jeopardising employment. The TSS is committed to addressing this issue and will take decisive action against any trader found guilty of selling counterfeit merchandise.”
To help consumers avoid purchasing counterfeit products, the TSS recommends the following guidelines:
- Be Cautious of Bargains: If an offer appears too good to be true, it likely is. Authentic designer items are seldom sold at steep discounts, so exercise caution.
- Purchase from Reputable Sellers: Always choose well-established and trustworthy traders.
- Examine Product Quality: Counterfeit items typically do not match the quality of genuine products.
- Inspect Labels and Packaging: Look out for spelling errors and poorly printed logos, which are common in counterfeit goods.
- Scrutinize Website Content: Pay attention to spelling and grammatical errors on online platforms. Fraudsters may alter the spelling of well-known brands in web addresses to deceive consumers.
- Verify the Seller’s Location: When shopping online, check if the trader provides a physical postal address. A website featuring ‘UK’ in its URL does not guarantee that the seller is based in the UK.
- Inquire About Return Policies: Reputable traders typically offer a returns policy or guarantee, while dishonest sellers often do not.
If you have any doubts about the authenticity of an item, refrain from entering payment information to avoid unnecessary risks.
