A TRADER caught selling fake football merchandise has been spared a jail sentence.
When Trading Standards officials searched John Roberts' home they found 300 scarves bearing the fake crests of Newcastle United and Celtic football clubs.

They also seized 155 bogus badges and documentation relating to sales on the internet auction site ebay, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

But Roberts, 27, who has previous convictions for copyright infringement, was spared an immediate jail sentence when he appeared for sentence at Newcastle Crown Court.

Roberts, of Park Terrace, Blaydon, Gateshead, admitted eight offences of unauthorised use of a trademark.

He also asked for a further ten similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Mr Recorder Ben Nolan QC imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a supervision requirement for 12 months.

The investigation was launched when a brand protection manager for Celtic Football Club was searching for items for sale on the internet.

When he came across Roberts' gear he notified Gateshead Council's Trading Standards department, said Susan Hirst, prosecuting at Newcastle Crown Court.

Andrew Walker, defending, said only 30 per cent of the merchandise seized was fake.

"The vast majority of the material was perfectly legitimate," he said.
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