3:42pm Thursday 27th November 2008
By Jack Royston
A DODGY South Harrow trader found with hundreds of phony designer clothes has been banned from markets across the country.
Police found 726 items of clothing mocked up to look like genuine designers, like Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino and Lacoste, after searching the home of Adnel Avram, also known as Hagi, in January.
Undercover trading standards officers nabbed the 30-year-old, of Holyrood Avenue, after secretly filming him flogging counterfeit goods at markets in Wembley and Bovingdon, in Hemel Hempstead.
He initially claimed the clothes belonged to his younger brother, who was 18 at the time, but later pleaded guilty to a string of counterfeiting charges.
Brent and Harrow Trading Standards officers found evidence the market stalls were rented by him.
Avram was given a three month suspended sentence and 150 hours community service by Harrow Crown Court.
He was also fined £7,000 and ordered to pay £3,000 towards the prosecution costs.
Bill Bilon, director of Brent and Harrow trading standards, said: “I am very pleased with the sentence imposed by the Court as it reflects the serious nature of these offences. “Mr Avram was warned by this service about his illegal conduct at the market on more than one occasion but he continued to offend.”
The clothes were found with Diesel, Lacoste, Timberland, Dolce & Gabbana, Stone Island, Moschino and Disney labels on.
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