Nigel Booth in court for second time for dodgy dealing on Facebook

Counterfeit goods sold on Booth’s Facebook page

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Nigel Booth has been given a 12-week suspended prison term after being prosecuted for the second time for selling fake designer goods via Facebook.

Booth, of Turfhill Road, Rochdale, sold counterfeit goods including perfume, trainers, accessories and clothes from an account on the social media site.

He was first prosecuted in 2013 but despite the earlier prosecution Booth, who traded on Facebook under the name ‘Booths Bargains’, continued selling. Following a tip-off from a member of the public, goods with a potential sale value of £17,500 were seized by the Rochdale Borough Council’s public protection team and a second investigation was launched.

The council sent samples of items seized from Booth’s home and an industrial unit to companies including Adidas, Ugg, Superdry, Nike, Calvin Klein, and Gucci who all confirmed they were fakes.

At Bury and Rochdale Magistrates’ Court Booth was found guilty of 15 offences under the Trade Marks Act. On 19 January 2016 he was sentenced to a 12-week custodial sentence suspended for two years, plus a curfew of 12 weeks between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

He was also ordered to pay £3,000 towards prosecution costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Goods seized by the council will be destroyed within 28 days.

Councillor Janet Emsley, the council’s Cabinet Member for culture, health and wellbeing, said: “Selling counterfeit goods undermines genuine businesses and damages the economy.

"It is also a criminal act so I am pleased that we have been able to bring a second prosecution against someone who has clearly not learned their lesson.”

If anyone suspects that they have witnessed the sale of counterfeit goods, they should contact Rochdale Borough Council via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.