Posted on Thursday 16th April 2020
Counterfeit golf merchandise
A Kidsgrove man has been ordered to pay £48,000 in proceeds of crime, after selling counterfeit golfing goods on eBay.
Steven Bowler, aged 49 of Shakespeare Close, Kidsgrove was found guilty of one offence of fraudulent trading and 9 offences of infringing the Trade Marks Act between June 2015 and June 2017.
At the proceeds of crime case at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday 15 April, he was ordered to pay the money which the court heard had been obtained through criminal activity.
In September 2019 Bowler was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, and had been ordered to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work as part of the sentence.
The investigation by Brand Fusion International Limited (who represent the ‘Super Stroke’ brand in the UK) and Staffordshire Trading Standards found Bowler buying counterfeit golf covers, club grips and t-shirts from China and selling them to customers worldwide as genuine on eBay.
Gill Heath, cabinet member for Communities at Staffordshire County Council said:
“In addition to the sentence against Mr Bowler in 2019, which was a great outcome for our Trading Standards service, this order takes the profit out of Mr Bowler’s criminality.
“Counterfeiting costs legitimate businesses dearly and damages the economy and the court has clearly taken these offences very seriously.
“This investigation is also a good example of partnership working in the fight against crime, which can lead to the recovery of assets. We will always consider applying for the confiscation of assets from criminals involved in such activity.”