[visordown.com] - Former trials world champion arrested after selling 100000 of count

[Ninjette Newsbot]

A FORMER World Champion trials rider was sentenced to 14 months in prison after selling more than £100,000 of counterfeit designer shoes on eBay.

Shaun Morris, 30, World Junior Champion in 2003, and both European and Australian Champion in 2005, started selling fake Ugg boots, as well as Nike, Timberland and Puma shoes after sustaining an eye injury which ended his career in 2009.

Morris sold the fake designer goods though 10 separate eBay accounts in celebrity names, including John Malkovich.

The crime was exposed when Trading Standards conducted a test purchase and sent a pair of Timberland boots to the brand itself, who confirmed they were counterfeit.

Trading Standards officers searched the addresses linked to the numerous eBay accounts and seized 76 pairs of Timberland boots, 53 pairs of Ugg boots, nine pairs of Nike shoes and nine pairs of Puma trainers.

Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing counterfeit goods and two of money laundering after involving his mum and sister who allowed money to be transferred through their bank and PayPal accounts.

Found guilty of a total of three counts of concealing criminal property, Jane and Celia Morris, sister and mother, were handed 40 weeks in prison suspended for two years, with 200 hours unpaid work.

Having completed his 60 week sentence which started in February last year, Shaun has been issued a confiscation order by Preston Crown Court to pay back £56,000 plus £9,200 in costs.

He also must pay back money invested in company shares and a property, risking another nine months in prison if the cash isn’t repaid within 18 months.

Celia Morris was ordered to pay £12,500 and costs of £11,500 within two months.

At his sentencing last year Morris’ counsel explained he was looking for ways to occupy his time after his accident.



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