Dangerous counterfeit perfume prosecutions in UK
Paul Adams and Louis Caunt from Burntwood pleaded guilty to 12 trade mark offences, and were handed an 18-month conditional discharge. According to Trading Standards UK, they were also ordered to pay costs totalling over £1000.
Methanol is a toxic substance, which can cause skin irritation and damage to both the eyes and the nervous system. The couple had been retailing the products via social media.
It comes following calls last year for online marketplaces, including Amazon and Ebay, were called on for increased vigilance when it comes to counterfeit cosmetics.
Christian Dior perfume
According to Trading Standards UK, bottles of Christian Dior fragrance were found during a raid by county council trading standards officers in December last year, along with other fake products including electrical goods, clothes and watches.
A senior figure in the operation stated that the raid was supported by those trade mark holders in question
“This was a highly successful operation backed by the trade mark holders and has prevented potentially hazardous counterfeit perfume and other goods being sold to the public,” explained Gill Heath.
“Our trading standards team acted decisively on what could have been a serious public health risk. In addition the sale of such goods would damage local businesses selling legitimate goods.”
Public awareness important
Heath notes that the sentence handed to the couple “may well have been more severe”, had the couple not been carers.
The council official stated that consumer vigilance is important in tackling counterfeit items, including those mimicking brands in the beauty and personal care sector.
“We would again like to remind people of the dangers of counterfeit goods and be particularly careful if buying online. People should report any suspected counterfeit goods sales.”
