Phones trader sentenced to 16 weeks in prison
A Birmingham business owner who sold unsafe mobile phone chargers as well as counterfeit goods has been sentenced to 16 weeks’ imprisonment at Birmingham Magistrates Court today (4 August 2015).
Mohammed Ibrar, 45, trading as Bling Bling Phones, based at Alum Rock Road, Alum Rock, pleaded guilty to nine offences at an earlier hearing 11 June 2015 – five of selling phone chargers which failed to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and four of selling counterfeit mobile phones cases bearing Apple and Porsche logos.
Ibrar, who was jailed for separate offences relating to the handling of stolen goods on 26 June 2015, was sentenced to 16 weeks for each of the nine offences, which will be served concurrently to his existing sentence.
The court also made an order for the forfeiture and destruction of all the goods seized during Trading Standards’ inspection on 24 April 2014.
Councillor Barbara Dring, Chair of Birmingham City Council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “Mobile phone chargers which fail to meet the safety standards required by law can lead to electric shocks, fires and explosions.
“Consumers purchasing electrical goods quite rightly expect these items to be safe, so we will not hesitate to take firm action against unscrupulous traders such as Mohammed Ibrar who think they can get away with selling potentially dangerous goods to Birmingham residents.
“Equally, we will not tolerate the sale of counterfeit goods in our city. As tempting as they may be, fake goods sold at knock-down prices are often poor quality, are unlikely to meet safety standards and damage the trade of legitimate businesses.”
ENDS
Media contact: Emma Brady, Press and PR Officer, on 0121 303 6969 or email emma.brady@birmingham.gov.uk
