A Buckie woman resorted to selling fake designer goods online after her husband lost his job offshore.
Trading Standards officers found cardboard boxes stuffed with counterfeit gadgets and clothing when they raided Lynelle Murray’s home.
Officials received a tip-off the 44-year-old was selling the knock-off items through a “secret” group on Facebook.
Chanel gloves, Beats headphones, Mac make-up kits and Hugo Boss clothing were seized following a search on November 17 last year.
Yesterday Murray, who is a carer, was sentenced at Elgin Sheriff Court after admitting selling the goods as a retailer with logos either identical to, or could be mistaken for, a registered trademark.
Fiscal Martina Eastwood revealed that headphones that would ordinarily sell for £80 on the high street, when authentic, were being offered at £15.
She added: “There was about £250 worth of value identified. Envelopes containing money were also seized. One had £130 inside, another had £5.”
Defence solicitor Stephen Carty explained his client made virtually no profit from the enterprise as she offered the items as gifts to friends and family.
He added: “She had been buying items from a similar site and was asked if she wished to become involved. She indicated she did.
“Her financial position made it very difficult. Her husband had been paid off from a job offshore.”
Murray, of Turner Street in Buckie, who was not present in court, was fined £350.
