A MARKET trader operating in CrownGate Worcester has been made to pay more than £1,650 for selling counterfeit sportswear.

Abdul Aziz pleaded guilty to five offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 at Worcester Magistrates Court.

The charges were brought against the 33-year-old after an anonymous complaint to Trading Standards in April 2006.

Trading Standards officers visited Aziz's stall in the CrownGate market and purchased a hooded Nike top that had tags and markings similar to the genuine Nike product. The garment was sent to the Trade Mark holder who confirmed that the top was counterfeit.

Officers from Trading Standards and West Mercia Constabulary revisited the stall where 167 counterfeit items were seized bearing trademarks such as Nike, Diesel and Henri Lloyd.

When approached Aziz gave a false name and Worcester address. However, when these details were found to be incorrect the defendant confirmed his true name and address in Sandwell Street, Walsall.

Magistrates fined Aziz £1,000 and ordered him to pay £667.40 costs. All goods seized were forfeited to Trading Standards for destruction.

Speaking after the case, Trading Standards officer David Hough said: "This is a good result and sends out a clear message that counterfeiting is not a victimless crime that allows people the chance for a bargain. The sale of counterfeit clothing unfairly damages the business of local retailers, harms legitimate suppliers of branded products and means that consumers are presented with poor quality imitations."

Anybody who has any information about the sale or production of counterfeit goods should call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.