A market trader caught trying to sell fake designer clothes and perfumes from hidden banana boxes has been given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Leigh Blackmore, 28, hid jackets, jeans, watches and aftershave lotions, bearing famous names like Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein, under the fruit and vegetable stall he was working on in Wantage's Market Place, Abingdon magistrates heard yesterday (Thurs, Oct 22).

He was caught after trading standards officers from Oxfordshire County Council were tipped off by Wantage CID, the court was told.

Brian Yendole, prosecuting on behalf of the council, said two trading standards officers had visited the Wednesday market in the town on March 4, and had been pointed in Blackmore's direction by the owner of the stall.

When challenged, the defendant pointed to an area under the stall where the banana boxes had been hidden.

Mr Yendole told the court that subsequent investigations revealed the boxes contained 70 items bearing logos identical to registered trademarks. Blackmore was arrested and taken to Didcot police station, where he admitted he had hoped to re-sell the goods after paying £300 for them in a pub.

However, the defendant claimed during the interview that he had only sold three items by the time he was caught.

Blackmore, of Sussex Close, Aylesbury, pleaded guilty to possessing the counterfeits intending to sell them.

Stephen Bennett, defending, told the court: "From a financial point of view, he (Blackmore) is substantially out of pocket. You are not dealing with someone who is part of a large organisation."

Blackmore, who is employed as a market trader and works six days a week in various towns, had said during his previous court appearance that he had responsibility for four children and had wanted to "make it a bit better for them".

As well as the 12-month conditional discharge, Blackmore was ordered to meet the county council's costs of £348.03 and an order for destruction of the seized goods was also made.

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