A CEREDIGION woman who admitted selling counterfeit goods has been handed a community order.

Kirsty Marie Barker, from Llanon, pleaded guilty at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court to 20 offences relating to the sale of counterfeit goods.

Barker was investigated after being spotted offering a wide range of cheap branded goods for sale on Facebook just before Christmas 2016.

The Trading Standards Service of Ceredigion County Council searched her premises and found a variety of fake Nike, Adidas, Boss, Gucci, The North Face, Ellesse and Ugg clothing and footwear at her home. A list of customers, orders and her expected profits was also found.

Barker was sentenced to a curfew order monitored by electronic tag requiring her to remain at home for three months between 7.30pm and 7.30am and 15 days of victim awareness and thinking skills training. She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £85 and the council costs of £750.

A forfeiture and destruction order was made for the goods seized. Notes seized from Barker at the time of the search indicated that the counterfeits had cost £1,200 to buy.

A statement from Ceredigion County Council said: “Ceredigion is an area that prides itself on provenance and any commerce that undermines the value of intellectual property and creativity also undermines one of the foundations of trade in the county.

“Trade in counterfeit goods creates an unfair playing field for reputable traders selling genuine goods, as well as threatening jobs and livelihoods. Anyone thinking of selling counterfeit goods risks financial loss, an appearance in court and punishment.”