Man prosecuted for counterfeit goods

Buy photos »

A MAN who used accomplices to sell counterfeit CDs and DVDs at a car boot sale in Hunnington has been given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to wear an electronic tag for three months.

Shahraz Riasat, 32, of O'Keeffe Close, Sparkbrook, was caught after a covert operation set up by Worcestershire County Council Trading Standards Officers.

And, last Wednesday (February 29), after pleading guilty to Trade Marks Act offences at an earlier hearing, he was given the four-month sentence, which will be suspended for two years.

He was also given a two- year supervision order, as well as the tag, which prevents him from leaving his home between 6am and 6pm on Sundays between 6am and 6pm.

Riasat, who was kept under surveillance for several months, used his vehicle to transport sellers and counterfeit merchandise to the boot sales, Redditch Magistrates heard. The operation culminated in a swoop by West Mercia Police and trading Standards, which saw Riasat and two of his accomplices arrested. The boot of Riasat's car contained hundreds of counterfeit discs and a search of Riasat's former home address found further counterfeit discs and hardware for the production of counterfeit DVD and CD artwork.

Trading standards' senior practitioner Peter Holmes said Mr Riasat thought he could avoid detection by getting others to sell the goods for him, but the operation showed anyone connected to the sale of counterfeit goods could be caught and prosecuted.

"We have identified other counterfeiters who continue to attend car boot sales throughout the County and it is only a matter of time before they are apprehended,” he added.