A BUCKIE WOMAN who was exposed by a Moray Trading Standards investigation into the online sale of counterfeit goods was fined £350 at Elgin Sheriff Court.
The court was told on Thursday that Lynelle Murray, 44, began selling the fake designer goods such as Chanel Gloves, Mac make-up kits and Hugo Boss clothing after her husband lost his offshore job.
Trading Standards officials were made aware of activities through a ‘secret’ Facebook group and conducted a search last November. Fiscal Martina Eastwood told the court that items such as authentic ‘Beats’ headphones would sell for £80 in a high street store – but were being offered for sale by Murray at £15.
She added that goods valued at around £250 were seized along with two envelopes containing cash – one with £130 and the other with £5.
In Murray’s defence solicitor Steven Carty said that his client had been purchasing the items from a similar online site and was asked if she wished to become involved. He added: “Her financial position made it very difficult – her husband had been paid off from a job offshore.”