MARKET trader Baldish Singh , who bundled an official to the ground during a raid on Felixstowe market, has been fined thousands of pounds for selling fake goods.

MARKET trader Baldish Singh , who bundled an official to the ground during a raid on Felixstowe market, has been fined thousands of pounds for selling fake goods.

Singh, of Tradeform Ltd, has been found guilty of four counts of selling counterfeit goods at the town's busy Sunday market.

The court heart how trading standards officers raided the event last year as part of a series of co-ordinated swoops across the country.

During the investigation a male officer was pulled to the ground in the struggle to stop him seizing the goods, mainly fake Adidas sportswear.

Singh pleaded not guilty to four counts of possessing and selling counterfeit goods and one charge of obstruction. He was convicted on all charges.

South-East Suffolk Magistrates, sitting at Ipswich, fined Singh £1,000 for each offence of possessing and selling fake goods and a further £250 for obstructing the trading standards officer.

The bench also ordered that the trader pay £2,960 in costs – making a total for fines and costs of £7,210.

Welcoming the outcome, Peter Monk, member of Suffolk County Council's executive, said: "Traders selling illegal goods down the market are not loveable rogues – they damage the economy where it matters most, at a local level.

"They rip off local legitimate businesses and leave consumers high and dry with no comeback when something goes wrong. This seven thousand pound penalty shows that there is no easy let off for local con-men.

"This case also sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate assaults on our officers or any actions which try and prevent them carrying out their duties protecting the public and supporting local business."

The raid happened on September 1 last year and police were called after traders chased council officers, after they had seized the fake goods, and wrestled them to the ground – in full view of horrified market shoppers.

That day raids were held at markets at Felixstowe, Ellough, and Kessingland, netting tens of thousands of pounds of fake Nike, Adidas, Gap and Kangol gear.

Brand expert Mike Roylance told the Evening Star after the raid that fake sportsgear being sold on markets was "very convincing" and it was recognisable as counterfeit only by the country of origin.

"They would have fooled most members of the public. I spotted them as fakes because that type of shirt is actually made in Indonesia but the label said Turkey," he said.

While it is hard to tell the difference, buyers are urged to keep an eye out for clothes without brand labels, no swing tickets, and poor quality printing or embroidery.

WEBLINK: www.suffolkcc.gov.uk