WELLESBOURNE TRADER CONVICTED

Mohammed BASHIR (born 14 01 1993) of Lozells Street, Birmingham, B19 2AU appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on 21st March 2019, charged with four offences of selling counterfeit goods and possessing counterfeit goods for sale contrary to Section 92 of The Trademarks Act 1994. He pleaded guilty to all matters. He was sentenced to a 24 Month Conditional Discharge.

The case was brought by TM Eye as a private criminal prosecution on behalf of its client Hugo Boss.

Bashir operated a substantial stall at Wellesbourne Market selling fake clothing from a large number of luxury brands including Fred Perry, Stone Island, Ralph Lauren, Armani and Hugo Boss. 

Detectives from TM Eye’s Dedicated Undercover Unit supported by its surveillance unit undertook a series of covert test purchases on the 16th and 23rd February 2019 and on the 2nd March 2019. Following the final evidential test purchase police officers from Warwickshire obtained Bashir’s correct name and address. The identification and evidence gathered allowed TM Eye to bring the prosecution leading to the conviction.

TM Eye Director David Mckelvey said,”Bashir has been very fortunate in the sentencing. He operated a significant stall at Wellesbourne Market selling a wide variety of fake goods and no doubt making substantial criminal proceeds. Despite this the court saw fit to simply give him a Conditional Discharge. TM Eye will continue to monitor the markets and should he be seen to re offend we will again enforce the law. Hopefully the courts will be more robust in future.”