"897 counterfeit items were found."
Mohammed Asghar, aged 40, of Handsworth, received a community order after he was caught by Apple selling hundreds of bogus items at his shop.
He was busted selling counterfeit goods such as Beats headphones at the Priory Square Phone Shop, based in the city centre.
Investigations began in February 2019 when investigators from WRi group, acting on behalf of Apple, carried out two test purchases at the shop.
This included buying a set of Beats Solo headphones for £30, which were actually worth in the region of £120.
They were found to be fake, as were some Apple AirPods also acquired for less than the recommended retail price.
The investigators subsequently alerted Birmingham City Council Trading Standards.
In January 2020, the shop was raided by WRi investigators and Birmingham City Council Trading Standards.
More than 1,000 suspicious products were seized.
The products were analysed and it confirmed that most of them were fake, including 182 AirPods, 432 connection cables, 27 batteries, 145 phone covers, 35 Beats Pill speakers, two Beats Solo speakers and 71 adaptors.
Asghar claimed he purchased some of the products from a travelling Chinese salesman who provided him with “adequate assurances” they were genuine and the rest from wholesalers in the Jewellery Quarter.
Prosecuting on behalf of the city council, Olivia Beesley said:
“He accepted he was responsible for purchasing all of the stock.
“He said he purchased some from an external travelling salesman and said he provided adequate assurances the products were genuine and that they had serial numbers.
“He also stated the other sellers were wholesalers. He said he had no idea of the price of genuine products.”
Asghar pleaded guilty to 10 trademark offences.
In mitigation, Asghar was a father-of-one with no previous criminal convictions.
Recorder Michelle Heeley QC said: “A total of 897 counterfeit items were found.
“Because you were selling them it counts as distribution and you now know how seriously the courts take this.”
“You have cooperated with probation, you are a man of previous good character.
“No doubt it is embarrassing for you to find yourself in this situation.”
On July 28, 2021, at Birmingham Crown Court, Asghar received an 18-month community order.
The punishment includes 20 days of rehabilitation and a 12-week curfew between 8 pm and 6 am.
Asghar may also have to repay thousands of pounds due to separate Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) proceedings.
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