IPSWICH: A market vendor who has been trading in Ipswich for 28 years has been fined thousands of pounds for retailing counterfeit superhero bags.

Mitchell Donald Lloyd will pay �2,315 after pleading guilty to selling goods bearing a false trademark, possessing an article which infringed copyright and seven charges of possessing a false trademark for sale or hire.

The Heath Road resident’s Ipswich market stall was inspected by Trading Standards on August 31 and 13 counterfeit Marvel superhero bags featuring Spiderman, the Silver Surfer and the Hulk were discovered. Lloyd was advised to remove the bags from his stall and return them to his supplier.

However, on a further inspection of the 51-year-old’s home on October 5 several counterfeit items were found.

In addition to the superhero bags previously found on his stall, Lloyd had a stockpile of goods counterfeiting several brands including Louis Vuitton, French Connection and Betty Boop.

Presenting his case, Lloyd’s solicitor, Mr Coates, said this was the first time the father-of-three had been in trouble with the law in his 28-year career as a market trader.

He added he has a “good character and an excellent past”, and could provide character references from neighbouring retailers who would vouch for him as an honest businessman.

Lloyd brought the bags to Ipswich after buying them from a supplier in east London and had no idea they were counterfeit.

Mr Coates said Lloyd “fully accepted” the charges against him. He added the market trader acknowledged it was a “huge error” of judgement to keep the bags at his home and if he had sold them his profit would have been a modest �82.

In addition to being fined, Lloyd has been ordered to destroy the counterfeit bags.

n Have you bought counterfeit goods? E-mail eveningstar letters@eveningstar.co.uk