LoginJail Sentence for Fake Goods Seller
A woman who sold counterfeit designer products on Facebook has been jailed for over two years.
Journal of Trading Standards Staff
Posted 24 July 2025 | JoTS Online
Content Tags: Updates|Counterfeit Goods|East Midlands
Leicestershire Trading Standards has successfully prosecuted two women who raked in thousands of pounds by selling counterfeit designer goods through Facebook Marketplace, with one of them being jailed for more than two years.
Helen Brindley-Walker (43) of Norris Hill, Moira and Lisa McArdle (53) of High Street, Measham, sold items including clothing, jewellery, cosmetics, electrical items and tobacco via the social media platform, accruing an estimated turnover of at least £480,000 over a 16-month period.
Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards will not hesitate to investigate and take action against this sort of unscrupulous and dishonest activity
Between July 2020 and October 2021, Leicestershire Trading Standards received several complaints from members of the public who had bought items that the pair had advertised on Facebook. When customers had complained about the poor quality of the items purchased, they were refused refunds.
The items were being sold through a closed Facebook group called ‘Get the Look’, which was administered by Brindley-Walker. Leicestershire Trading Standards contacted Brindley-Walker on more than one occasion, giving her advice and warning her of the serious consequences of selling counterfeit goods.
Officers joined the group and carried out test purchases, buying trainers branded as Adidas and Nike, Paco Rabanne aftershave, Tiffany earrings, Apple AirPods, an Adidas hoodie and a YSL perfume and make-up set.
The items were analysed by brand representatives, who all confirmed that the goods were not genuine, and that Brindley-Walker and McArdle did not have authorisation to produce, market or import any of their branded goods.
When warrants were obtained to examine the women’s home addresses and two self storage units in Burton upon Trent, Officers found and seized a total of 3,558 branded items with a combined sales value of £46,500.
Brindley-Walker and McArdle appeared at Leicester Crown Court on 21 July having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell goods bearing unauthorised trademarks at an earlier hearing.
Brindley-Walker was given a custodial sentence of two years and three months, while McArdle received a 15-month suspended sentence.
The court heard that Brindley-Walker ran the operation and McArdle worked for her, monitoring the Facebook page, packing orders and taking them to the Post Office.
Passing sentence on Brindley-Walker, His Honour Timothy Spencer KC said: “You were given a very clear warning about selling counterfeit goods. You completely ignored the warning. If you had done what you should have done and stopped it there and then, you would not be in such big trouble as you are.
“The counterfeit market is very worrying indeed, it undermines legitimate trade. In all likelihood it exploits sweated labour in developing countries. It strikes at the heart of any reliable retail system.”
Sentencing McArdle, he said: “This is your first appearance in a court ever and it had better be your last. Your criminal career starts and finishes with this offending.”
Gary Connors, Head of Regulatory Services at Leicestershire County Council, commented at the conclusion of the case: “These sentences send out a clear message – Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards will not hesitate to investigate and take action against this sort of unscrupulous and dishonest activity, and those who take part in it can face prison.”
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Content Tags: Updates|Counterfeit Goods|East Midlands
