Exmouth woman sold 'unsafe' fake cosmetics

A woman from Exmouth who sold fake and unsafe cosmetics on ebay was sentenced in Exeter Crown Court today (Thursday).

Deborah Hamber, used two separate eBay accounts to sell £25,000 worth of counterfeit cosmetic products, bearing brand names such as Benefit, Lancome and MAC.

Ms Hamber received a four month suspended prison sentence plus 150 hours of community service today as a result of the prosecution brought by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Trading Standards service, said: “This sort of activity hurts local retailers of legitimate goods as well as the brand holders. It can also mean substandard and shoddy goods are imported – and in the case of cosmetics, dangerous ones with high levels of toxins.

“Our Trading Standards service will give advice to traders who want to run a legal business, and won’t hesitate to prosecute those who don’t if the circumstances demand it”

 During their investigation Trading Standards Officers bought products from Ms Hamber in order to analyse their contents.

The tests revealed that the products were conterfeit while one product, a Benefit Bad Gal mascara, was found to contain twice the permitted levels of lead which could damage the eyes and eyelashes.

Following the tests a warrant was executed at her Exmouth home and more fake goods were seized.

Officers also found letters from the UK Border Agency and Detain UK, advising her that they had detained parcels of Benefit cosmetics addressed to her, as they were counterfeit.

Letters from customers, some complaining that the goods they had been sold were fake, were also found.

Feedback left on the eBay website also showed how some customers had been misled.

Ms Hamber had earlier pleaded guilty at Magistrates Court to six offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994, in relation to the supply and intention to supply counterfeit goods, and one under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 in relation to the unsafe mascaras.

The Court also ordered forfeiture and destruction of the seized goods and a confiscation investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.