A Runcorn woman received more than £55,000 from selling counterfeit goods online.

Emma Harwood, 43, of Putney Court, Hallwood Park, was sentenced at North Cheshire Magistrates’ Court on November 22 after being found in possession of a pair of slippers and a pair of boots which bore trademarks similar to those of Ugg and Timberland when officers raided her home on December 15, 2016.

She received a fine and court costs totalling £980 after pleading guilty.

Despite the small amount of seized goods, a Trading Standards spokeswoman said a digital money trail showed a clear long-running pattern of selling a large volume of counterfeit goods through five social media accounts.

The spokeswoman said that when officers examined Harwood’s bank and PayPal accounts, it became clear that she was ‘involved in a web of criminality’ via social media and had netted more than £43,500 through the sale of the imitation goods via her bank account and a further £12,000 via her PayPal account.

Images taken from Harwood’s sales Facebook page showed bootleg stock such as hoodies, make-up, polo shirts and children’s clothes.

A Runcorn woman has been fined after selling £55,000 of counterfeit goods online.

Halton Trading Standards, which is part of Halton Borough Council , is now urging consumers to be vigilant in the run-up to Christmas.

The team is targeting Facebook and other social media sellers and warned vendors that they ‘cannot hide behind social media accounts’

Offenders also face prosecution and the seizure of computers, mobile phones and in some cases vehicles.

A Runcorn woman has been fined after selling £55,000 of counterfeit goods online.

People have been urged to steer clear also because goods can be low quality or unsafe and suppliers of counterfeit products are ‘intrinsically linked to organised crime groups’, as described in a recent Interpol report.

The Trading Standards spokeswoman said: “She sold a range of counterfeits including cosmetics, perfumes and sunglasses which, when genuine, are produced to strict safety standards. Counterfeit versions are not made to the same standards and risk injury to consumers.

A Runcorn woman has been fined after selling £55,000 of counterfeit goods online.

“Cosmetics and perfumes can cause allergic reactions due to the poor quality of ingredients used, and counterfeit sunglasses provide little or no protection from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun.”

Cllr Dave Cargill (Trading Standards) said: “We have a duty to protect the residents of Halton and the health of all of its residents and so it is important that we prosecute those involved in the supply of counterfeit goods like Emma Harwood.

A Runcorn woman has been fined after selling £55,000 of counterfeit goods online.

“Hopefully this case sends out a clear message to these criminals that our Trading Standards service is coming for them.

“It should not be forgotten that as well as a financial penalty, this individual will have to deal with the stigma and impact of a criminal record for many years to come.”

Residents with concerns about the sale of counterfeit goods can report information to the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0345 404 0506.

Details relating to illicit cigarettes or booze can be reported to the Halton Trading Standards alcohol and tobacco hotline voicemail service on 0151 511 8787.

Other Trading Standards matters should be reported to 0345 404 0506.