A MOBILE phone accessories wholesaler in Southall has been prosecuted for selling fake goods.

About 4,000 illegal items with a street value worth more than £20,000 were seized from The Foneshop Parts Ltd of Charles House, Bridge Road, in a joint Ealing Police and Ealing Council raid last year.

Along with counterfeit parts, batteries and protective covers for mobile phones infringing trade mark logos such as Apple, Samsung, Nokia, HTL, LG, Sony, Blackberry, Warner Bros (Batman and Superman) and Monster Energy, officers also found evidence of illegal imports and potentially dangerous electrical goods.

The shop and its sole director, Rajinder Singh Chopra, were sentenced at a hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday October 30, after earlier pleading guilty to offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994.

The company was ordered to pay a penalty totalling £17,730, which included the council’s costs of £10,730.

Mr Chopra was given prison sentences suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid community work.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for safety, culture and community safety, said: “This prosecution demonstrates how successful our operations with partners such as the police and other boroughs have been in this area, helping us to keep fake and unsafe goods from flooding the market.

“We are committed to guarding the public from dishonest traders who deliberately flout the law and Mr Chopra has received an exacting punishment for his illegal actions.”

Inspector Winnard from Ealing Police said: "This is an excellent result. This operation illustrates what can be achieved when partners such as Ealing Council and Ealing Police work together, sharing skills and expertise.

“In this instance, thousands of counterfeit and potentially unsafe goods have been prevented from reaching unsuspecting members of the public. This sentence should serve as a warning to those persons willing to engage in similar acts."

A confiscation order to the value of about £43,000, imposed under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, was taken into account during sentencing. The order is to be paid on or before an enforcement hearing next Tuesday, November 24.