Market Trader Caught Selling Fake Trainers

22 March 2011, 15:35 | Updated: 22 March 2011, 15:39

A market trader has been sentenced for selling counterfeit Nike trainers, following a successful prosecution by Hertfordshire Trading Standards.

Mostapha Safi, 39, of St Andrew Street, Acton, was tried at Watford Magistrates Court on February 23. He was found guilty of six offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994, related to possessing for sale counterfeit Nike trainers at Bovingdon Market.

He was sentenced on Monday (March 21) at Hemel Hempstead Magistrates Court to 150 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay £150 costs, a fine of £100 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Trading standards officers, accompanied by the police and a representative from Nike, visited his stall on March 6, 2010. Safi, who had a stock of more than 500 trainers, ran off when they announced themselves, but was later traced and brought before court.

He pleaded not guilty, claiming he was not the stall holder but was convicted of all six counts of breaching the Trade Marks Act.

Keith Emsall, Executive Member for Community Safety, said: "Counterfeit crime will not be tolerated. Not only do customers get ripped off, it is damaging to legitimate businesses."