An Angus couple have denied stashing hundreds of bootleg goods at a former hotel with the intention of selling them on.
Douglas and Wendy Piggott are accused of breaching strict trademark legislation affecting luxury brands such as Jimmy Choo, Rolex and Tag Heuer.
It is alleged they had items at the Dalhousie Hotel which illegitimately bore brand logos.
The couple, from East Haven near Carnoustie, are also accused of hoarding similarly illegal sportswear and electronics.
Court papers allege that the pair, along with a distribution company based at the Dalhousie, hoped to profit from the sale of the goods.
It is alleged that the couple allowed WDP Distribution Limited to commit the same offences while they were its directors.
At Forfar Sheriff Court, both 66-year-olds pled not guilty to all charges.
The Dalhousie Hotel has been closed since 2020 and plans have been approved to convert it into holiday flats.
Hundreds of items
At a hearing on Tuesday, a complaint with 40 charges called, reduced to a summary complaint having began life as solemn proceedings.
The bootleg items which were allegedly found at the hotel include 21 pairs of trainers which bore Adidas’s trademarked name, trefoil logo and three bar logo.
Prosecutors claim that 27 pairs of trainers which bore the trademarked Nike “swoosh” without permission and 54 two-piece women’s gym outfits, also complete with phony Nike branding, were also recovered.
It is alleged that 97 phone charger adaptors, 84 lightning cables and four pairs of earphones were discovered illegitimately bearing Apple’s official logo.
Also in the alleged stash were four bottle-shaped candles bearing illicit Jack Daniels branding, a watch with a phoney Tag Heuer logo, three handbags and a wallet with bootleg Radley “Scottie dog” logos and 17 pairs of boots masquerading as Timberlands.
The list of alleged dodgy items also includes three handbags – one with a purse attached – purporting to be made by Jimmy Choo and two watches with Rolex’s name and crown logo on them, but with no permission from the Swiss company.
All charges allege that trademark legislation was breached on March 12, 2020, at The Dalhousie Hotel on Carnoustie‘s High Street.
Accusations
The couple and the company face allegations that they, in the course of running a licensed premises there, possessed items which bore on them or their packaging a sign which was identical to or were likely to be mistaken for known trademarks.
Court papers say these items were at he hotel because the couple and company viewed to sell or let them for hire or offer or expose them for sale or hire by themselves or by another.
It is alleged that they did this with a view to gaining for themselves or with intent to cause loss to another and without the consent of the trademark owner.
Furthermore, both accused who were in the dock are accused of allowing the corporate body WDP Distribution Ltd to commit the same offences while they were directors.
Sheriff Krista Johnston set a trial for June 26.
WDP Distribution was not represented in court and its case was continued without plea until April 18.
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