Michael Thorne sold knock-off football gear mimicking the branding of Wales, England, Cardiff City, Swansea City, and many more
Michael Thorne leaves Cardiff Magistrates' Court
Michael Thorne leaves Cardiff Magistrates' Court(Image: Conor Gogarty)
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A man ripped off football teams and fans by flogging thousands of pounds' worth of knock-off clothing and accessories. Michael Thorne appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to 51 counts of infringing on trademarks.
The court heard the 51-year-old was a sole trader based at a Windmill Park industrial unit in Sully. The prosecutor Mark Roberts, for Vale of Glamorgan council, said: "His sports equipment and fashionwear were advertised for sale on the internet. It's estimated they would sell for a total of £17,000 in a retailer."
The presiding justice, Reverend Mark Griffiths, raised an eyebrow as he leafed through extensive court papers detailing the 51 charges.
"You've filled most of our list," Revd Griffiths told Thorne. The defendant was entirely deadpan as he responded: "Okay."
The offences date back to May 2023 when Thorne copied the trademarks of various football clubs and nations onto T-shirts, flags, hats, cabin bags, trainers, towels, scarves, and cushion covers.
The court heard the fake trademarks were "likely to be mistaken" for the real thing.
The items included "Together Stronger" bucket hats bearing the Dragon mark of the Wales team as well as goods displaying England's Three Lions.
The English Football Association says counterfeiting reduces the funding it can invest back into the game, stating on its website: "Unfortunately [fan] loyalty is sometimes exploited by individuals and companies who unofficially use our name, image, and marks to sell and promote their own products."
Thorne, of Heol y Gyfraith in Talbot Green, also copied trademarks of football clubs including Cardiff City, Swansea City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Rangers, Liverpool, Chelsea, Leeds, and Queens Park Rangers.
The court heard Thorne had no similar convictions on his record.
Revd Griffiths pushed sentencing back to May 28 for the probation service to produce a report with more information on the defendant's circumstances.
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