A ROGUE trader has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 after selling fake superhero costumes on eBay.

About 250 outfits were seized from Cestrian Sports on Rowleys Drive, Shotton, and confirmed as counterfeits by film giants Warner Brothers.

Ashley Colin Turner of Chester Road, Huntington, Chester pleaded guilty to seven charges of supplying and possessing counterfeit goods after his business was searched by members of Flintshire Council's Trading Standards team in September last year.

The fake goods were estimated to be worth £7,236 and were discovered after the local authority received a tip off from costume suppliers Rubies Masquerade.

The court accepted that Mr Turner was a person of previous good character, who had set up a successful business and had failed to understand the significance of registered trademarks.

Flintshire Council’s cabinet member for planning and public protection, Councillor Chris Bithell, said: “This is a very good result after a thorough investigation by Flintshire’s Trading Standards Service and a good example of the kind of results that can be achieved by good partnership working.

“The fine and compensation reflects that these crimes are not the victimless crimes as many perceive. This is theft of trade marks that companies spend large amounts of money to develop and it also has an adverse effect on those companies that sell the genuine products.”

Mike O’Connell, global head of anti-piracy at Rubie’s Masquerade, said: "We would like to express our thanks to all of the officers at Flintshire Trading Standards for their support and assistance from the outset of this operation.

“Our global team works extensively on detecting and removing counterfeit products, across all trading platforms and in store.”

Mr Turner was fined £1,125 and ordered to pay investigation costs of £2,211 and compensation of £7,236.22 to Rubies, he was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £200 making a total of £10,772.22.

If anyone suspects they have purchased counterfeit goods or anyone is selling them they should report it to Trading Standards on 03454 040506.