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• Counting the cost of counterfeiting

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A Halewood man has pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to selling counterfeit goods to work colleagues and was ordered to pay a total of £4,150 in fines and costs.

Mr Paul Marsh, 44, pleaded guilty to 63 counts of selling counterfeit DVDs including pornography, music CDs and computer games, together with the possession of articles used in the illegal “chipping” of games consoles.

Knowsley Council started to investigate Mr Marsh after they were tipped off by a member of the public.

Trading Standards officers searched his house in Halewood and uncovered a cottage industry devoted to the manufacture and sale of counterfeit items. Officers seized Marsh’s entire stock together with equipment used by him in their copying and production.

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Customer Services, said: “Knowsley Council’s Environmental Health and Consumer Protection service is committed to protecting the public and will not hesitate to take legal action wherever necessary.

“Product counterfeiting is not a victimless crime and has a detrimental effect on the local economy. Reputable traders who pay taxes and have other overheads are placed at a disadvantage over the counterfeiter which could have an impact on jobs. In addition, the products themselves are of inferior quality to the genuine items.

“This issue was brought to our attention by a member of the public and we are always grateful for their valuable contribution. I would urge anyone wishing to report concerns about counterfeit products on sale in their area to the Environmental Health and Consumer Protection service – we will treat all calls in confidence.”

Residents wanting to report counterfeiting can do so to Knowsley Council’s Environmental Health and Consumer Protection Service on 0151 443 4737.

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