A market trader who worked from a pop-up stall in Gravesend has been convicted of selling counterfeit clothes.
John Whittle, 53, from Surrey, was charged with 19 offences of possessing and selling clothes as authentic brands when they were in fact fake.
He sold more than 650 phony goods from his stall in New Road before he was caught by Kent County Council’s Trading Standards.
Whittle’s fake brands included Superdry, Ralph Lauren, Fred Perry, Hollister, Jack Wills, Ugg, Lacoste, Mulberry and Juicy Couture.
One of the fake Superdry hoodies
He denied the charges when he appeared at Dartford Magistrates’ Court on March 30, but was found guilty and sentenced to 180 days in jail, suspended for 12 months.
Whittle was also ordered to do 200 hours’ unpaid work, pay £2,000 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
His remaining stock will be de-branded and recycled.
Some of the fake clothes taken in from Whittle's stall
Trading Standards manager Richard Strawson said: “The magistrates found Whittle had not undertaken sufficient checks to ensure the goods were genuine.
“Consumers should have confidence that what they are buying is genuine.
“In this case, Mr Whittle had previously received a conviction for similar offences and therefore was fully aware of his obligations.
“We will continue to take a robust approach to this issue in order to protect both consumers and legitimate businesses.”
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