Covert operation nets counterfeiter

A COVERT operation by Warrington Borough Council’s public protection team resulted in the arrest of a counterfeiter.
Police and council officers raided the home of Amanda Rigby, at Gorse Covert, Warrington and seized a large quantity of counterfeit goods, copying equipment and computers, Chester Crown Court was told.
Rigby pleaded guilty to 37 offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
She was ordered to do 200 hours community service and pay a total of almost £77,000.
This included costs of £7,825 to Warrington Borough Council .
The Recorder made a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act amounting to £69,104.34 to ensure Rigby would not benefit financially from her offences. Failure to pay this sum within six months would lead to a term of 18 months’ imprisonment.
The Recorder also ordered the forfeiture of all the seized counterfeit goods and the equipment used in the process of manufacturing the illegally-copied computer games.
After the hearing, the borough council’s lead member for public protection, Cllr David Keane, said: “This is a landmark case for Warrington Public Protection Service as it’s the first time
the council has used a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act in this way.
“The warning to anyone considering entering into this kind of criminality is clear: do not sell counterfeit goods, because if you do, when you get caught, the council will ensure that all the profits you have made are seized.”