A PENSIONER who was twice caught with a stash of counterfeit fashion accessories has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Seventy-year-old Peter Worsley, who lives in Worsley, was the subject of two separate investigations over a six month period in Bury and Salford.

He appeared at Bolton Crown Court charged with nine counts of possessing counterfeit items.

The first investigation, last June, resulted in Worsley's house and lock-up garage being searched by police and trading standards officers from Salford Council, and counterfeit goods being seized.

In December, Worsley was caught for a minor misdemeanour by police at Tesco in Prestwich. When his car was searched, counterfeit items were again found.

As a result, his house and a lock-up off Manchester Road in Bury were searched, and Bury Council's trading standards team were called in.

The items found in the investigations included Ray Ban sunglasses, Tiffany & Co jewellery, Christian Dior handbags, Henri Lloyd hats, 28 cartons of cigarettes and Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss and FCUK socks.

At a previous hearing in December, Worsley admitted committing the offences while on bail.

Last Friday, Worsley was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. A forfeiture and destruction order was made for all goods seized.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, executive member for safe, strong, confident communities at Bury Council, said after the case: "The sale of counterfeit items shows a total disregard for the companies who work so hard to maintain their integrity. This man clearly did not learn any lessons from his first offence, I sincerely hope that he realises his mistakes now."