A MIDDLE-aged woman who sold more than 5,000 counterfeit Cath Kidston mobile phone cases will be jailed unless she pays back £20,000 within three months.

Gemma Grainger-Peach admitted conning people out of thousands of pounds by flogging the items on eBay when she appeared at Taunton Crown Court on Monday.

The case against Grainger-Peach, 42, of Churchill Way, Taunton, was brought by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service following a complaint by trademark holder Cath Kidston Ltd.

An investigation by the service and subsequent search of her property revealed she had sold 5,165 counterfeit mobile phone cases over a two-year period.

Judge David Ticehurst made a £20,000 confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act and ordered Grainger-Peach to pay the money within three months or receive an eight-month prison sentence.

She was also given an 18-month conditional discharge.

The judge added that Grainger-Peach had been previously told to stop on several occasions by the brand holder and the sentence reflected the aggravating feature.

Somerset County Council deputy leader Cllr David Hall, with a responsibility for trading standards, said: “Counterfeiting is illegal and takes custom away from legitimate businesses as well as putting substandard and shoddy goods into circulation.

“The internet should not be used as a medium for this activity and the sale of counterfeit goods will not be tolerated.

“This case shows that, where appropriate, our trading standards officers will take action by bringing offenders before the courts and when possible will ensure any proceeds from the crime are confiscated.”

If you have concerns about goods you have bought, or want advice about your rights, contact Citizens' Advice consumer service on 0345-4040506 or visit its website.

Businesses can get advice from via Devon and Somerset Trading Standards website or by ringing or 0300-123224.