Clubs cry foul over fake pendants

Fake hip flasks were among the haul seized

A Belfast jeweller has been fined £500 for selling fake football club jewellery and memorabilia.

Anne Lauro, who trades as Kavanagh's in Gresham Street, faced 10 charges at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Trading Standards officers visited her shop following complaints from Scottish soccer clubs in December last year.

A total of 53 offending items were seized, including rings, cigarette lighters, hip flasks, tankards and pendants.

She was fined £100 for each of the first five charges, plus £37 court costs and was given a conditional discharge for 18 months on the remaining five charges.

The goods bore trademarks of such clubs as Leeds United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Rangers, Celtic and Manchester United.

Each of the teams were contacted and they identified the items as being counterfeit.