ON August 3, identical twin brothers Tamir and Haim Uzan, 35, of Hampstead, London appeared at Harrow Magistrates Court following an investigation regarding the supply of counterfeit mobile telephone fascias and phone neck straps.

Haim Uzan pleaded guilty to eight offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 for supplying the counterfeit goods and both brothers pleaded guilty to obstruction offences for preventing Trading Standards Officers from carrying out their statutory duties. Haim Uzan was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay £3,000 prosecution costs and Tamir Uzan was fined £500 for obstructing officers and ordered to pay £500 towards prosecution costs.

Haim Uzan ran a business which stocked trolleys of mobile telephone accessories which were then sold by street traders and also through a retail shop in Westminster. Evidence was found showing trading activity in Chichester, Worthing, Luton, Harrow, Watford. Slough, Reading and Aldershot.

In 2004, the Trading Standards Service received information was received that the Uzan brothers were storing counterfeit stock. Further investigations were made resulting in a raid of their lock up in June 2004 at the North Circular Road.

When Officers arrived, they saw a van being loaded up with mobile phone covers some of which were counterfeit.

The owners arrived as officers were in the process of seizing phone covers and straps which bore the registered trade marks of Nokia, Burberry, Adidas, Disney, Playboy, Manchester United, Nike and Walt Disney.

The twin brothers used physical force to remove a female and two male Trading Standards Officers from the premises. Haim Uzan locked and closed the storage unit's door and refused Officers further entry.

The Police were called and the door was forced open.

Tamir and Haim Uzan were arrested by the police and taken to Wembley Police Station where they were interviewed by Trading Standards and then bailed to reappear at a later date.

The accessories were sent for expert examination and confirmed that were counterfeit due to their poor quality and construction and that they showed their trade mark when they had not given their permission.

In total over 5600 items were seized. Evidence showed the covers were being retailed at £5 each and straps were being sold at £3 each providing a retail value of £20,000.

After passing sentence, the Magistrates granted forfeiture and destruction of all the seized goods .