Recent Prosecutions and Penalty and Costs

• 23rd May 2008. Anthony James Lucas of 3 Jays Court, Bedlington was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court to six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and ordered to carry out 60 hours of Community Service after pleading guilty to supplying counterfeit golf clubs. Operating on the internet, Lucas ignored complaints from customers and a warning from the Trading Standards Service that the clubs he was selling were counterfeit. This followed a long and painstaking investigation into a number of internet accounts operated by Lucas.

• 13th May 2008. Matfen farmer Leslie Morrison pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to apply ear tags to cattle when appearing at Hexham Magistrates on 13th May. He asked for 12 similar offences to be taken in to consideration. Magistrates sentenced Morrison to a six-month supervision order with 150 hours of unpaid community service. He was also ordered to pay £796 costs.