Kinson Trader Guilty Of Selling Fake Wine

Trading Standards Officers in Bournemouth are warning that there are more prosecutions to follow, after a Kinson trader was found guilty of selling counterfeit wine.

Bournemouth magistrates’ court heard that Mr Zeynal Altun, of Hazel Supermarket in Wimborne Road was charged with offences relating to bottles labelled as well-known brand Jacob’s Creek, and had changed his plea to guilty shortly before appearing in court on Wednesday 4 April. 

Expert analysis of the packaging indicated that the labels were forgeries, and that there was no means of tracing the source of the product prior to Mr Altun placing it on sale.
 
The fine and costs totalled £670.
 
Andy Sherriff, Trading Standards Manager for Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “Not only is this kind of activity illegal, but it puts honest traders at a disadvantage. We want to support legitimate businesses and see them thrive. If that means putting rogues in the spotlight, then that is what we will do. Hazel Supermarket is the first of a series of traders due before the courts in the next few months.”
 
Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, said: “We would urge residents to be very careful where they shop, bearing in mind that some shopkeepers think it acceptable to try and cheat the public. We have an ongoing programme of test-purchasing and we will continue to pursue legal action wherever necessary. This prosecution should act as a warning to any trader tempted to take a chance on illegal goods.”