TRADER FOUND GUILTY OF SELLING COUNTERFEIT GOODS

A City Centre trader has been found guilty of trading in counterfeit goods.

On 15 December 2009 at Abergavenny Magistrates Court, Stephen Pumford pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit floor cushions, duvet sets, curtains, beanbags and lampshades, as well as selling unsafe furniture and displaying a sign that restricted consumers’ statutory rights.

All of the dangerous and fake items subject to the charges displayed the logos of top premiership football teams including Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC.

Pumford was fined £1,040, and ordered to pay costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Trading Standards Officers at Newport City Council had been investigating this case since May 2009 and had bought a number of items, including a cushion and a duvet set, from Pumford’s shop in John Frost Square, Newport, South Wales.

The items were confirmed as counterfeit by the brand owner, Manchester United. Later in the month a raid was carried out at Pumford’s shop where in total 80 Liverpool FC and 51 Manchester United FC products were seized using powers under the Trade Marks Act 1994.

FARMER PROSECUTED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY

Farmer Darren Matthews has been found guilty of six different charges relating to bovines on his farm at Caerphilly Magistrates Court.On 30 November 2009, Matthews pleaded guilty to the charges, brought under the Cattle Identification (Wales) Regulations 2007 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Matthews was investigated and prosecuted by Newport City Council Trading Standards for causing a bovine unnecessary suffering, and failing to adhere to procedures regarding the identification of cattle.In April 2008, the farmer was investigated for an alleged animal welfare issue on a farm in Llanwern, Newport, this led to the discovery of six bovines in an adjacent field, and one bovine carcass.

Owners of livestock have to keep records of all animals, and for bovines, passports. The investigation by Trading Standards found he failed to keep up-to-date records on livestock movement and retain passports. He also failed to notify the authorities of the death of a bovine. Matthews pleaded guilty and was ordered to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work, and pay costs of £3,000. In addition, he was disqualified from keeping cattle for 10 years.