THOUSANDS of pounds worth of fake rock band hoodies and T-shirts were seized from a house.

Trading Standards recovered the huge haul of unofficial merchandise from a property in Barn Lane, Bognor.

The retail value of the goods was more than £18,000, with almost 2,000 items of clothing seized in total.

Gary Michael Warren, who lived in the house, pleaded guilty to the counterfeiting crime.

Trading Standards officers were first tipped off to his unlawful activity when they were contacted by a trademark holder in November 2018.

They complained that a website, which was being run by Warren, was selling counterfeit rock band T-shirts.

The Argus:

The officers made several “test purchases” and confirmed the items they had bought were “in breach of the Trademarks Act”.

They swooped on Warren’s home, seizing a huge hall of fake rock band merchandise.

After pleading guilty at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, he was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 130 hours of unpaid work.

Trading Standards were awarded full costs of £5,445 and Warren forfeited the items seized. These will now be recycled.

Richard Sargeant, West Sussex Trading Standards team manager, said: “Selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime. As well as deceiving innocent customers it also takes business away from legitimate traders.

“We are determined to put a stop to counterfeit selling in West Sussex.”

Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for environment, said: “Residents concerned about the sale of fake, counterfeit products should contact our Trading Standards team.

“This outcome sends a strong message that we will take action against dishonest traders.”

Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of an unfair trading practice is asked to contact Trading Standards at www.westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport or via Citizens Advice on 03444 111 444.