Rodney Simmons, director of Jans Jewellers Limited trading as Faith Jewellers in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, has been fined £9,000 and ordered to destroy counterfeit stock following prosecution by the Trading Standards Service (TSS).
The sentencing took place at Craigavon Crown Court after Simmons pleaded guilty to six offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994.
Counterfeit Goods Seized During Investigation
The case began after a complaint was received regarding potentially counterfeit items at Faith Jewellers, located in Rushmere Shopping Centre. Trading Standards officers visited the premises and seized 36 counterfeit designer watches, which had been displayed alongside genuine products and priced between £249 and £399. Brand representatives later confirmed the watches were counterfeit, with an estimated retail value of approximately £10,000.
Trade Marks Act Offences and Enforcement Measures
Simmons admitted to charges concerning the sale, display, and possession of counterfeit branded watches. The court ordered the destruction of the counterfeit items in addition to the fine.
A spokesperson for the Trading Standards Service stated:
“This should serve as a warning to individuals who believe they can profit from selling counterfeit goods. Mr Simmons purchased cheap counterfeit watches and then sold them at genuine retail prices. Consumers are entitled to expect that the goods they buy from traders are of the quality associated with named brands.”
The spokesperson continued:
“Counterfeit trade harms the local economy by cheating consumers, undermining legitimate retailers and threatening jobs. TSS take this activity seriously and will not hesitate to take enforcement action against any trader found to be selling counterfeit goods.”
Advice for Consumers and Retail Relevance
Trading Standards has also issued advice for consumers to avoid counterfeit goods. These include buying only from reputable traders, checking for misspellings on packaging and websites, reviewing returns policies, and being cautious of unusually low prices.
“Be wary of bargains. Remember – if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Legitimate designer items are rarely discounted, so do not rush and be fooled into believing you are getting a good deal.
Always buy from reputable traders. Check the quality of the goods. Fakes will not be as good as the real thing. Check labels and packaging for spelling mistakes and poorly printed logos. Check the spelling and grammar on websites. Often the people behind these sites do not pay a lot of attention or care to this detail. Fraudsters may also try to deceive you by slightly changing the spelling of a well-known brand or shop on the website address.
When buying online, look to see where the trader is based and whether a postal address is provided – just because the web address has ‘UK’ does not assume the seller is based in the UK. Ask the trader if there is a returns policy or guarantee. Most rogue traders will not offer this. If you are not sure whether the items are genuine, do not enter your payment details – it is not worth the risk.”*
Anyone with information regarding counterfeit goods or who believes they may have purchased such items is encouraged to contact Consumerline at 0300 123 6262 or via the official web form at nidirect.gov.uk.
Implications for the Jewellery Industry
The case demonstrates the legal consequences businesses may face when counterfeit goods are found on their premises, regardless of intent. It also serves as a reminder that jewellers offering branded timepieces must have effective processes in place to verify product authenticity.
This is relevant for retailers offering branded goods, where ensuring the authenticity of stock is essential. Retailers should review procurement practices and retain records confirming the authenticity of branded stock to minimise risk of enforcement action and customer complaints.
For the jewellery sector, the case reflects the relevance of intellectual property compliance and accurate product representation.
