A FRAUDSTER who was selling fake designer speakers, clothes and watches through Facebook has been given a suspended prison sentence.

At Cardiff Crown Court Che Siirak, 19, of York Place, Barry pleaded guilty to 15 offences under the Trademarks Act relating to the possession and supply of counterfeit goods including fake Dre Beats speakers, fake Gucci and Louis Vuitton clothes as well as fake Rolex, Tag Heuer, and Michael Kors watches.

The prosecution was brought by the Council’s Trading Standards Service after items were seized by South Wales Police as part of a separate investigation.

Trading Standards discovered that items were being offered for sale via Facebook, and all of the products seized were tested and found to be counterfeit by industry and brand experts.

Sentencing Siirak, Judge Jonathan Furness described him as someone with a considerable and noteworthy criminal record who had knowingly sold items for profit knowing they were not genuine. The court heard that Siirak had not been involved in the production of the goods.

Judhe Furness gave Siirak a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered him to pay £5000 towards the prosecution costs, along with a £100 surcharge. He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours community service.

The Vale of Glamorgan council's Principal Trading Standards Officer Christina Roberts said: “This case shows how the Courts view these offences very seriously.

"Siirak came close to being imprisoned and also lost the counterfeit goods he was selling, which are forfeit and will be destroyed.

"I hope that will also provide a deterrent to others who may be contemplating this.

“Sometimes, people knowingly buy copied designer goods as they believe they are securing the designer look without the price tag but on other occasions, they are scammed and believe they are buying the real deal."

Leader of the Council, Neil Moore, said: “Our Trading Standards officers continue to work proactively across the Vale of Glamorgan to deal with cases such as this, in order to protect the community from potentially unsafe and inferior good and also to protect legitimate businesses.

"We work closely with South Wales Police to disrupt criminality within the area as well as other TSO’s across Wales, to deal with such offences.

Anybody with information on individuals selling counterfeit goods can contact the Trading Standards Department in confidence by calling 01446 709105 or by emailing tscomplaints@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.