Pirate Profits Plundered

Updated:Jan 2009

Counterfeit trader ordered to payback Proceeds of Crime.

A resident of Droylesden, Manchester who was convicted for his part in trading in counterfeit goods was ordered to payback in excess £78,000.

Paul Nicholas Gibbons (29) of Langfield Crescent, Droylesden, Manchester was given the confiscation order during a hearing at Mold Crown Court under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Gibbon's benefit from his criminality was assessed at £284,710. His available assets, which included the equity from his home and a motor vehicle amounted to £78,873.44. An order was made to pay back this amount within 6 months or face 2 years behind bars in default.

On 12 December 2004 a joint operation was mounted by the North wales Police and Flintshire County Council Trading Standards Department, targeting the illicit sale of counterfeit MP3 discs, DVD's, CDs and computer games, at the Coed Mawr Market at Greenfield, near Holywell, Flintshire. Contraband with a street value in excess of £90,000 was seized and a number of people were arrested.

On 22 July 2005 Gibbons pleaded guilty to offences involving Trade Mark infringment and was sentenced to four months imprisonment.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Kellett, Head of the North West Regional Asset recovery team said, " The Proceeds of Crime Act is not just for drug dealers but is being used against anyone who profits from their criminal acts. Selling counterfeit goods cheats the public and is a crime. People such as Gibbons are making comfortable livings from crime and we are pleased that the court in this case has recognised this and has taken away his profits. Other people engaged in the same illegal trade should expect the same thing to happen to them".

Ron Hughes, Flintshire County Council Trading Standards Manager said: "This is an excellent example of the kind of results that can be achieved by good joined up working between Trading Standards, the Police and the RART. Criminals become involved in counterfeiting because they believe that it is an easy way to make money. The result of the good work carried out by the North West RART shows that anyone involved in counterfeiting risks not only losing their liberty but also large amounts of money including their home."

Michael Rawlinson, deputy director general of Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (LSPA) commented: "This case demonstrates the enormous financial risk faced by those who sell counterfeit computer and video games. Any profit made through this kind of illegal activity can be claimed back under POCA, and shows anyone tempted to become involved that counterfeiting doesn't pay."