On 15 December 2009 at Abergavenny Magistrates Court, Stephen Pumford pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit floor cushions, duvet sets, curtains, beanbags and lampshades, as well as selling unsafe furniture and displaying a sign that restricted consumers’ statutory rights.
All of the dangerous and fake items subject to the charges displayed the logos of top premiership football teams including Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC.
Pumford was fined £1,040, and ordered to pay costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £15.
Trading Standards Officers at Newport City Council had been investigating this case since May 2009 and had bought a number of items, including a cushion and a duvet set, from Pumford’s shop in John Frost Square, Newport, South Wales.
The items were confirmed as counterfeit by the brand owner, Manchester United. Later in the month a raid was carried out at Pumford’s shop where in total 80 Liverpool FC and 51 Manchester United FC products were seized using powers under the Trade Marks Act 1994.
Along with being counterfeit, the goods seized were also dangerous as they failed the safety requirements of the Furniture and Furnishings Etc (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. Pumford later agreed to carry out a product recall on the unsafe items.
A council spokesperson said: “This investigation shows how important the work of Trading Standards is when protecting consumers from the dangers of unsafe and counterfeit goods. Newport City Council is particularly aggrieved that these items would undoubtedly have been used by children whose parents were unaware of the risk posed.”
Members of the public can make a complaint to Trading Standards through the Consumer Direct service by calling 08454 040506.
