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Teacher in eBay football top scam | Teacher in eBay football top scam |
(about 18 hours later) | |
A Flintshire teacher who duped 200 people into buying fake football shirts on the auction website eBay has received a suspended prison sentence. | A Flintshire teacher who duped 200 people into buying fake football shirts on the auction website eBay has received a suspended prison sentence. |
Paul Davies, 34, of Mold, admitted four charges of fraud and one count of obtaining money by deception - with 196 offences taken into consideration. | Paul Davies, 34, of Mold, admitted four charges of fraud and one count of obtaining money by deception - with 196 offences taken into consideration. |
He was sentenced to 52 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months, and he was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work. | He was sentenced to 52 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months, and he was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work. |
Mold Crown Court heard among those sold were David Beckham shirts. | |
He also sold Cristiano Ronaldo tops and replica Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur shirts, claiming they were genuine. | He also sold Cristiano Ronaldo tops and replica Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur shirts, claiming they were genuine. |
However, they were all counterfeit and had been imported by Davies from Thailand, the court heard. | However, they were all counterfeit and had been imported by Davies from Thailand, the court heard. |
'Financial loss' | 'Financial loss' |
A specialist financial investigation will now be launched under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which has the power to seize money made illegally. | A specialist financial investigation will now be launched under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which has the power to seize money made illegally. |
Debra White, prosecuting, said Davies, a father-of-two, had been working as an English teacher in Thailand and made about £5,000 from the venture. | Debra White, prosecuting, said Davies, a father-of-two, had been working as an English teacher in Thailand and made about £5,000 from the venture. |
Sentencing Davies, Judge Dafydd Hughes said: "What you have done is cheat a large number of people and companies. | Sentencing Davies, Judge Dafydd Hughes said: "What you have done is cheat a large number of people and companies. |
"Individuals thought that they were buying the genuine article but they were not. | "Individuals thought that they were buying the genuine article but they were not. |
"They were false, they were counterfeit and sadly these people were deceived and suffered a financial loss." | "They were false, they were counterfeit and sadly these people were deceived and suffered a financial loss." |
Miss White said Davies had four eBay accounts and between September 2006 and March last year advertised various soccer shirts for sale by auction. | Miss White said Davies had four eBay accounts and between September 2006 and March last year advertised various soccer shirts for sale by auction. |
The court heard people paid between £20 and £43 by for the shirts. | The court heard people paid between £20 and £43 by for the shirts. |
Nic Parry, defending, said Davies was now working in the UK. | Nic Parry, defending, said Davies was now working in the UK. |
A reference showed he was highly thought of, but he would lose his job if he was jailed. | A reference showed he was highly thought of, but he would lose his job if he was jailed. |
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