A STALLHOLDER at Braintree Marker has been handed a hefty fine and 150 hours of community service for selling counterfeit goods.

Russell Hunter, 54, of Squires Field, Hextable in Kent, appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 5 May.

He pleaded guilty of breaking the Trade Marks Act in November 2014 by possessing, with a view to selling counterfeit clothing, mimicking that of Ralph Lauren, Converse and Adidas.

Magistrates sentenced Mr Hunter to 150 hours of community service, a £60 criminal surcharge and awarded costs of £2,800 to Essex Trading Standards who brought the case.

He was also given an order for the forfeiture and destruction of all goods seized.

Cllr David Finch, Essex County Council Leader, said: “We will not tolerate the selling of counterfeit goods anywhere in our county. It undermines the trade of legitimate business and we will continue to work towards successful prosecutions of those that do attempt to flout the law.

"This is a great result by our Trading Standards Officers, who work tirelessly to protect Essex consumers and the local economy.”