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£683,000 confiscation order for Lincolnshire trader in fake goods (12 January 2016)

Date: 12/01/2016
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, £683,000 confiscation order for Lincolnshire trader in fake goods

Lincoln Crown Court has sentenced a man to repay £683,144.00 under a confiscation order, after he was convicted of selling counterfeit goods.

Iftakhar Ahmed, 41, from Walsall in the West Midlands was convicted on charges relating to counterfeit goods, after Nike discovered that copies of their trainers were being sold in significant quantities in 2011.

The company joined forces with Lincolnshire Trading Standards, Lincolnshire Police and representatives from Adidas to raid the market stalls, seizing enough counterfeit clothing to fill two 40ft shipping containers.

Iftakhar was arrested and later released on bail. His 23-year-old twin sons Hasan and Asad Iftakhar later attended a voluntary interview conducted by Trading Standards.

Trading Standards continued to monitor the stalls, while further investigations were being carried out – and found more fakes just one year later, infringing the trademarks of Hunter, Vivienne Westwood, Superdry, Armani, Jack Wills, Hollister, Barbour, Tom’s and others.

Another raid was carried out in August 2014 and more than 200 items were confiscated.

Iftakhar and his two sons were handed prison sentences at Lincoln Crown Court on 19 February 2015 for selling counterfeit clothing in Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire. Iftakhar Ahmed, Asad Iftakhar and Hasan Iftakhar were handed prison sentences of two years and six months, 12 months, and six months, respectively.

Further to sentencing last year, a confiscation application was made against Ahmed Iftakhar at Lincoln Crown Court on Tuesday 22 December.

He must pay the full amount of £683,144.00 within three months, or face a five-year prison sentence – and the amount payable will increase with interest during this time, potentially leading to further prison sentences.

In his judgment, His Honourable Judge Heath confirmed that the crime “was no small operation” – adding that the defendant “had not provided compelling evidence in relation to expenditure”, in order for the amount payable to be
reduced.

Sentencing at the court, His Honour Judge Wigoder said:

“This is a family business and clearly there is no doubt that Dad is the prime mover and his sons are at his behest.

“The selling of counterfeit goods was clearly profitable, as can be seen by the scale and size of the amounts of counterfeit goods seized – for example, the 4,600 UGG tags which were clearly to be used to pass off boots as UGG products.

“Word has to get out that people who deal in counterfeit goods will go to prison – and in this case, it is aggravated by the fact that you all have a sustained period of offending.

“You have not stopped selling counterfeit goods, even after arrest and being on bail, or even attending voluntary interviews after significant quantities of counterfeit goods have been seized.”

Trading Standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, Alan Griffin, said:

“The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 allows us to work with the police to pursue the assets of those who deal in counterfeit trademark goods – recouping the profits they have made from their criminal activities, in addition to any sentence they have received.

“We are committed to using this legislation to target those who are benefiting from their crimes in Lincolnshire.”

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise at any stage of a public protection offence, including trading in counterfeit goods, manufacturing counterfeit goods or importing counterfeit goods.

Duncan Lewis is also able to advise on selling defective goods, illegal alcohol and tobacco products, weights and measures offences, mislabelling and breaches of food hygiene laws or health and safety legislation.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a Duncan Lewis crime lawyer can attend interviews with investigating authorities such as Trading Standards, HMRC, Border Force or the police.

For expert legal advice on public protection offences and counterfeit goods, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.


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