A TRADER who deals in clothing at Bovingdon market was found guilty on three charges of selling counterfeit clothing and fined £2,100 plus £2,000 towards costs at Watford Magistrates Court last week.

The trader, Neil Wilkinson, of Castle Donnington, Derby, had pleaded not guilty to the charges under the Trade Marks Act at an earlier hearing at Hemel Magistrates Court.

In July 2001, Herts Trading Standards officers visited Wilkinson, at his Saturday stall at Bovingdon market, in response to complaints from local businesses.

The officers seized and confiscated 106 items of clothing carrying branding from three different manufacturers, which the officers believed to be counterfeit.

Specimen items were sent to the manufacturers for examination, which they confirmed were counterfeit.

One item of clothing from each manufacturer made up the three charges against Wilkinson an Adidas top, a Ralph Lauren polo shirt and a Timberland jumper.

January 29, 2003 16:00