A company has been fined more than £10,000 following an investigation into the sale of counterfeit and dangerous toys.
Following intelligence from a UK port regarding imported goods, Trading Standards officers for Manchester City Council carried out a visit to Just Traders Limited, of Commerce House, Manchester, in May 2021.
During that visit 280 items in total were seized on suspicion of being counterfeit or unsafe.
Samples taken included Batman and Marvel merchandise.
Under investigation it was found that the toys seized failed basic safety tests, for example battery compartments were easily broken apart posing a choking hazard should a child ingest a battery. Other elements of the toys were also easily broken apart with minimal force, again posing a choking hazard. Also, plastic packaging was also not at the required thickness, posing a risk of asphyxiation.
Some electrical components were also found to be unsafe, becoming easily detached exposing live wires to a potential user.
Following these tests Just Traders Limited was invited to attend an interview on several occasions, however these were declined.
At a hearing held on Thursday, 26 January, 2022, Khalid Mahraj appeared on behalf of the company before Manchester Magistrates’ Court.
At this hearing the defendant pleaded guilty to 10 total offences, relating to regulation 26 and 27 of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, regulation 11 of the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 and Section 92(1)(c) of the Trade Marks Act 1994
Magistrates ordered that the defendant pay a fine of £10,667, pay costs of £3,354.41 and a victim surcharge of £180.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods said: “This is a great example of how collaborative work between ourselves, the port authority and Greater Manchester Police can lead to a successful day in Court.
“We take the sale of counterfeit goods very seriously and are taking steps to address the harm it causes to our communities. As we have said many times before, the counterfeit industry is not a victimless crime. Safety standards are in place for a reason and we do not want to see the severe injury, or even death of a child to underline just how important they are.
“I want to thank our officers in our Trading Standards and Legal teams for securing this great result.”
