A TRADER who sold fake Rolex watches for thousands of pounds has been sentenced after he was caught by Trading Standards.

Jamie Thorpe, 33, of Millwards Farm, Lewes, was trading under the name Ludgate Watches.

He sold counterfeit watches and parts in West Sussex and tampered with official Rolex warranty booklets.

He was investigated by West Sussex Trading Standards after a consumer complaint from someone who bought a £2,425 Rolex watch from him on eBay which turned out to be fake.

After raids on four addresses in Sussex and Surrey, fake watches, watch dials, watch straps, guarantee booklets and plastic tags were seized, masquerading as Rolex, Omega and Swatch brands.

Computer files seized also showed evidence Thorpe forged Rolex documents to make the fakes appear genuine.

Thorpe pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court and was sentenced to a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and 180 hours of community service.