Hundreds of fake trainers, perfumes and sunglasses uncovered in street trader's home

Police uncovered hundreds of fake trainers, perfumes and sunglasses at a street trader's home in Oldham.

Ciprian Masare was first spotted with fake branded perfume by officers in Southport in December 2020. He was arrested after a chase.

Officers then more than seized 300 fakes from an address in Oldham. Following an investigation by Oldham Council’s Trading Standards department, Masare, of Prince Edward Avenue, pleaded guilty in court to 40 criminal offences of possession for supply under the Trade Marks Act 1994.

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On May 14, he was sentenced at Stockport Magistrates' Court and ordered to carry out 300 hours of community services. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.

In 2018, fake trainers and sunglasses had previously bene seized from Masare during a stop-and-search. He was warned by 'didn't learn his lesson', the council said.

Councillor Elaine Taylor, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing, said: "This is a good result as our Trading Standards Team have taken a large number of fake goods off the streets. Masare didn’t learn his lesson when he was caught for selling fakes a few years ago and now he has had to pay the price.

"Counterfeit goods are often poor quality, do not meet safety standards and can contain unsafe ingredients or substances. By buying counterfeit goods people are also supporting criminality and undermining legitimate businesses."

If you know where counterfeit goods are being sold you can report it to trading standards by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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