A couple are estimated to have made more than £50,000 selling counterfeit vehicle badges online from a property in Northwich .

Paul Kelly and Lynsey Carter have been sentenced for importing counterfeit badges from China – including BMW, Ford , Porsche and Jaguar – and selling them online via websites such as eBay and Amazon.

Cheshire West and Chester Trading Standards brought the case against the pair after being contacted by BMW’s brand protection company.

Drawers of fake vehicle badges discovered as part of an investigation into the online sale of counterfeit vehicle badges from a property in Northwich.

A total of 2,166 counterfeit vehicle badges for wheel hub centres and bonnets, with a total value of £6,821.72, were seized during the investigation from a property in Lavender Drive, Northwich. It is estimated that over an 18 month period the pair sold counterfeit goods totalling £51,496.12.

Both pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading, contrary to section 9 of the Fraud Act 2006 and were sentenced at Chester Crown Court .

Fake Ford badges discovered as part of an investigation into the online sale of counterfeit vehicle badges from a property in Northwich.

Kelly, 43, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years and issued with a community order for 180 hours unpaid work. Carter, 44, received a community order for 180 hours unpaid work.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, they both received confiscations orders, a total of £24,207.56 for Carter and a total of £36,311.35 for Kelly, both to be paid within three months.

Councillor Karen Shore, cabinet member for environment, said: “Our Trading Standards officers protect residents across Cheshire West by investigating the sale of these inferior and often unsafe counterfeit products. This is the end result of a very complex investigation.

Cllr Karen Shore
Cllr Karen Shore

"This joint operation also involved the North West Regional Investigations Team and Cheshire Police .

“Counterfeiting is an illegal activity which affects the livelihoods of legitimate, hardworking businesses. We will take action against anyone found selling counterfeit products in Cheshire West and Chester.”