West Kirby Counterfeiter sentenced to 32 months for making illegal games and DVDs.

Gordon Cullen, 46 years old, of West Kirby,Wirral was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment at Mold Crown Court for making and selling counterfeit games and DVDs, following an investigation by Wirral Trading Standards and the Department of Work and Pensions.

Lengthy surveillance was carried out at Coed Mawr market in Flintshire where Cullen and his daughter Pauline, 25, of Beechwood, Wirral, ran stalls under a large banner stating “The DVD man – for all your top quality DVDs at rock bottom prices”.

The Cullens were charging £5 each with discounted prices of 3 for £10 or 7 for £20. All of the DVDs and games sold were illegal copies.

In October 2006 a series of coordinated raids, code named Operation Buzzard, took place throughout , and Wirral designed to disrupt the supply of counterfeit goods and detect organised benefit fraud.

Both of the Cullen’s homes were raided by Trading Standards and Police. Equipment used in the manufacture of illegally copyied discs and large quantities of counterfeit goods, together with financial evidence, were seized.

In addition, Cullen was also sentenced to 16 months for benefit fraud.

Following a lengthy financial investigation by the Regional Asset Recovery Team Judge Hughes also imposed a £190, 000 confiscation order against Gordon Cullen based on his illegal profits. If he fails to pay this sum in six months he will be sentenced to a further 3 years in prison.

Pauline Cullen was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months and ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work to be completed in 18 months.

For further information contact John Malone, Trading Standards Manager 0151 691 8640