A SWEET shop owner has been fined thousands of pounds after selling illegally packaged fake 'Wonka' bars in Ludlow and beyond.

Alan Price, trading as Mollie's Sweet Shops, pleaded guilty to ten charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Food Information (Wales) Regulations 2014 in a prosecution led by Powys County Council’s Trading Standards Service.

On Wednesday, August 16, Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court heard that the Wonka logo is a registered trademark and it is an offence to apply it to any product without being licensed by the trademark holder.

The 57-year-old was responsible for the application of the Wonka logo onto the chocolate bar labels, which he then supplied to his sweet shops in Newtown, Ludlow, Telford and Chester.

The court also heard that the allergen information on the label was not provided in the correct format, which posed an imminent safety risk to people who have allergies to milk and soya.

A Trading Standards Officer had offered advice and guidance to the business on numerous occasions and had given many chances for Mollies to comply with the law. The officer subsequently learned that the same product was found being offered for sale outside of Wales, despite assurances from the business that all Wonka bars had been removed from sale in all Mollie's shops.

Price, whose business address was given as Severn Farm Industrial Estate, Welshpool, was fined £7,200 for the offences and ordered to pay £3,000 costs and a £190 victim surcharge.

Councillor Richard Church, cabinet member for a Safer Powys, said: "This case demonstrates the value of the work that Trading Standards does. It is their aim to protect members of the public who suffer from allergies. At the same time Trading Standards are protecting brand holders to ensure a wider resilient and healthy economy.

"Despite attempts by Trading Standards to provide advice and guidance to the business owner, this was ignored, which is why this case was brought to court.”