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Knocked-off goods duo are locked up
Convicted - Stacey Gargett and Joanne Rankin (below)
TWO women have been jailed for organising parties selling fake designer shoes, handbags and jewellery - with buyers including the wives of policemen.
The conviction of Stacey Gargett and Joanne Rankin has prompted a warning from Doncaster Council saying buying cut-price goods harms retailers and potentially poses a safety risk to consumers.
Gargett, of upmarket Centurion Fields in Bessacarr, imported loads of fake Gucci, Mulberry, Tiffany and Pandora goods from China - for her Time for Silver business.
Cheryl Dudley, for Gargett, 31, said the customers of her client and Rankin, 39, of Horton View, Kirk Sandall, were “not victims” because they were “very much aware of what they were buying.”
“Some of the items were delivered to Doncaster police station for officers’ wives,” she added.
A supposedly Hermes crocodile skin handbag, retailing for £7,000, was sold for £160.
Police raided their homes and an office in Oakleaf Court, Rossington. Among the items found were 59 Gucci gift boxes, 453 Tiffany gift boxes, Mulberry and Louis Vuitton bags and Rolex and Breitling watches.
Carl Fitch, prosecuting, said Gargett’s bank account showed she had paid more than £81,000 to Chinese suppliers.
Time for Silver had been running for two years via internet advertising and word of mouth. It sold goods on a party plan basis in homes with women receiving commission.
Mr Fitch said it was impossible to quantify the duo’s profits, but there would be confiscation proceedings.
The pair were jailed for a year after admitting three charges of importing, selling and possessing goods with false trademarks.
Andrew Walker, for Rankin, said the divorced mum-of-three was “extremely naive” and until police called had “no concept” of the consequences
Judge Jacqueline Davies said all the seized goods will be destroyed.
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Weather for Doncaster
Sunday 26 May 2013
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Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
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