Fleetwood faker fined £2,500 for car boot sale clothing and accessories

A Fleetwood woman caught selling counterfeit clothing and accessories at a local car boot sale has been sentenced following action by Lancashire's Trading Standards Service.

Tracy Gane, of South Strand, who previously pleaded guilty to six offences under the Trade Marks Act in October, was fined £2,500 earlier this month and will face 90 days' jail time if it remains unpaid.

Sentencing the 46 year old, Preston Crown Court was told that Trading Standards officers bought a pair of fake Polo Ralph Lauren sunglasses at Ms Gane's stall at the car boot sale on Navigation Way on Sunday 7 August 2022.

A fortnight later, on 21 August, officers seized counterfeit clothing and accessories from the stall including Hugo Boss polo shirts, Chanel earrings, Dior sunglasses, and Louis Vuitton scarves and wallets. Officers valued the haul at about £25,000 compared to their genuine high street counterparts.

When interviewed, Ms Gane told officers that it had not occurred to her that some of her stock could be fakes. But sentencing her, His Honour, Judge Medland Q.C. said that she must have known the goods were 'dodgy.'

Applications for forfeiture and the payment of prosecution costs were adjourned pending the outcome of financial proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Speaking after the case, Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing at Lancashire County Council said: "Selling trademark infringing goods is a serious offence carrying up to 10 years' imprisonment.

"On top of this, the law assumes that any money made during the past six years is from illegal activity. Offenders will be made to repay every penny they cannot account for, or face spending time in prison.

"Taking a strong stance against fraudsters will send the message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated in Lancashire."