Two brothers have been sentenced for selling fake designer trainers, shoes and boots at their market stall.

Sukhdeav and Hardev Singh, both from Rochester, were running a pitch at Rye Market, in East Sussex, in October 2021, when council trading standards officers visited following reports the items being sold were not genuine.

Following a a test purchase and a further visit in December 2021, more than 1,000 pairs of fake footwear were seized from the brothers’ stalls.

Brands taken included counterfeit Adidas, Converse, Timberland, Dior, Prada, Reebok, Balenciaga, Michael Kors, Nike, Ugg, Chanel, Fendi and Valentino, with a total retail value if genuine of over £210,000.

The pair were convicted of breaching the Trade Marks Act and both admitted all offences at Hastings Magistrates’ Court in February.

Sukhdeav Singh, of City Way, Rochester, pleaded guilty to 13 counts relating to trademark theft for having in his possession for sale counterfeit footwear with a retail value of over £170,000.

The 57-year-old was sentenced at Hove Crown Court on March 28 to a four-month custodial sentence, suspended for one year, to run concurrently on each of the 13 counts and 80 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,110 within six months.

“These convictions are another warning to those involved in the sale of fake goods...”

His brother Hardev Singh, of Maidstone Road, Rochester, pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching the Trade Marks Act, having in his possession for sale counterfeit footwear with a retail value of £36,140 and for selling counterfeit Nike trainers to an undercover trading standards officer.

He appeared on April 13 before Hastings Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to a 12 months’ community order and ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.

The 54-year-old was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £750 and a £95 victim surcharge within 28 days.

In sentencing Sukhdeav Singh, recorder Brock said: “You said you bought [the counterfeit footwear] believing them to be legitimate but did not carry out sufficient checks. I find that the offending is so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”

Forfeiture and destruction orders were made for all the counterfeit goods received.

The council has also initiated proceedings against Sukhdeav Singh which could enable it to recover assets and cash made through his criminal activities.

Andrew Clooney, East Sussex trading standards team manager, said: “Selling counterfeit goods not only breaches trade marks legislation but harms the trade of legitimate suppliers and damages consumer confidence.

“These convictions are another warning to those involved in the sale of fake goods that we are committed to prosecuting those who persist in this illegal activity.”