A scammer has been caught selling fake designer gear on Facebook - including Nike, Gucci and Boss products - in an undercover sting.

Trading standards officers found Hope Jarvis, of Repton Park, Ashford, was using private groups to sell and supply counterfeit goods.

The 32-year-old was working on the scam with Nicole Brudenell, from Torpoint, Cornwall.

Investigators from Cornwall Council caught the pair by covertly purchasing fake shoes from Brudenell in July last year, after joining her private Facebook selling group.

The trading standards officers later applied for a warrant to search her home, where they found counterfeit clothes, trainers and accessories from brands purporting to be Adidas, Nike, Gucci, North Face and Boss.

Analysis of mobile phones seized from Brudenell showed a history of messages and online listings which demonstrated that she was running a significant business.

The records also revealed that Jarvis - of Ordinance Way - had been working with Brudenell to supply the items as part of a wider distribution network.

When Brudenell’s own Facebook group was closed down, Jarvis contacted Brudenell’s customers offering them the opportunity to join her own group, in order to continue supplying fake goods.

Following guilty pleas to offences under the Trade Marks Act at an earlier hearing, the pair were each sentenced to a 12-month community order at Bodmin Magistrates' Court in Cornwall and must each pay £1,000 towards costs.

Gary Webster, Cornwall Council’s fair trading team manager, said: “Unfortunately this kind of illegal activity remains all too common.

"Selling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime, as we know that genuine local businesses are affected by the unfair competition that these operators create.

"In addition to the exploitation of those involved in manufacturing of these goods, the products are often of poor quality.”