A MARRIED couple who netted thousands of pounds operating an online fake goods scam have been ordered to pay £90,000 by the courts.

David and Linda Cross, who produced counterfeit Justin Bieber and One Direction products, were each sentenced to 12 months conditional discharge after admitting 20 offences.

The court heard how the couple, from Lytham Road, Broadstone, Poole, applied fake trademarks to goods before selling them to unsuspecting members of the public via the internet.

Dodgy Star Wars, Harry Potter, Gruffalo and JLS items were also among the fakes they produced.

Sentencing the pair at Bournemouth Crown Court last Friday, a judge made a confiscation order for £75,000 and ordered them to pay £15,000 costs.

The counterfeit goods included shoulder bags, satchels, t-shirts, mobile phone covers, pencil cases and stationary sets.

James Norman from the Borough of Poole’s Trading Standards team – which brought the prosecution – said: “We are pleased with the judge’s verdict and confiscation order.

“It sends a clear message to anyone contemplating such an act that the overall cost and reputational damage outweigh any gain.

“We are fully committed to protecting our residents from unscrupulous traders. We will have no hesitation in seeking prosecution and the recovery of any assets gained through illegal activity.”