Thousands of dangerous and counterfeit toys were seized from Smartway Imports in who pleaded guilty to seven offences relating to unsafe toys.
A Salford-based company has been fined almost £25,000 for selling fake and counterfeit toys that could have ‘seriously injured children’.
Thousands of dangerous and counterfeit toys were seized from Smartway Imports who pleaded guilty to seven offences relating to unsafe toys.
Among those seized in the haul of more than 3,7000 counterfeit products were Disney-branded items including 21 boxes of Frozen fakes, 12 boxes of Spiderman and 10 boxes of Toy Story products.
The items, including some which could have choked small children, were recovered by Salford council’s trading standards officers in November 2014.
Smartway Imports has now been fined £10,500 for the offences un the Consumer Protection Act and £7,500 for the offences under the Trade Marks Acts as well as being ordered to pay costs of £6,500 at Manchester Crown Court.
According to the Manchester Evening News, a Spiderman projectile toy, A Disney Frozen Figure set and a Disney Frozen Doll were safety tested. None of the items has the manufacturers and importer’s name and address included.
Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said: “We’ve been saying for some time that fines need to be more realistic and I am glad to see that in this case this has happened.
“Any business which imports and sells toys must be aware of and comply with the law. With Christmas coming up, I’d urge anyone buying toys for children to be vigilant and buy from shops they trust to comply with the law.”