Bromyard man convicted of counterfeiting offences

On Friday 20 November 2009 at Hereford Magistrates Court, David Simmons, formerly of Enderby House, Bromyard was given a six-week custodial sentence and ordered to forfeit around £2,000 worth of goods and computer equipment used in his DVD film and game counterfeiting operation.

At an earlier hearing he had pleaded guilty to four charges under the Trade Marks Act for counterfeiting Xbox 360 and Playstation 2 games as well as box office movies.

He boasted at the bottom of his extensive price lists that “any movie that has ever been created by man, I can and will probably get for you”. He made similar claims regarding Xbox 360 and Playstation 2 games. He also offered to “flash” Xbox’s in order for counterfeit games to be played.

Mr Simmons was caught selling fake games and films by his former employer, The Green Dragon Hotel in Hereford. This led to Herefordshire Council’s trading standards officers carrying out a raid on his Bromyard flat where clear evidence of illegal downloading was found.  

Principal trading standards officer, Tim Thorne said: “People who produce and sell counterfeit games and films cause severe damage to genuine high street retailers as well as depriving a huge number of people of the royalties they deserve for their contribution to the making of these copyrighted products.

“In addition, the quality of these fake items is often very poor and consumers should report anyone who is involved in their production or sale. The forfeited equipment will be wherever possible donated to charity.”