Sheriff gives lesson on counterfeits

A MAN caught with a vanload of counterfeit goods claimed he was just out to make a small profit.

However, a sheriff warned Kevin Blair, 36, that underworld gangs often produced fake brands to fund serious crime.

Livingston Sheriff Court was told that police who stopped Blair's van found it packed with counterfeit clothing, footwear and jewellery.

Investigators working with the companies which own the trademarks suggested that the goods, if genuine, would have had a value of 36,000.

Blair claimed he had paid 1,500 for the illicit goods and hoped to make a 300 profit by selling it. He pled guilty yesterday to six charges of possessing illegal trademarked goods for personal gain.

Blair was sentenced to carry out 120 hours of unpaid community service work.