Brothers accused over fashion fakes

International clothing giant Lacoste is accusing Zooba Ajaz Butt and his brother Babar Shafique Ahmed Butt of running a "very large" counterfeiting operation from their home at Southgate Road, in Sunny Bank.

The two brothers deny any involvement with counterfeit labels.

The company claims it "stumbled" upon the operation when a parcel split at a courier company's warehouse, revealing around 4,000 fake Lacoste labels.

At the High Court in London on Tuesday, Guy Tritton, representing Lacoste, said a "chain of inquiries" led to the brothers' Bury address.

He told the court that three parcels containing counterfeit labels had so far been intercepted from Pakistan going to "R Trading" at the Southgate Road address.

Mr Tritton said Lacoste had evidence of more than 30 similar parcels being sent in the past year.

Lacoste is taking legal action against the Butts - alleging trade mark infringement and "passing off."

In July, High Court judge Mr Justice Lightman granted the company an order allowing a search of the Southgate Road address.

The search has since taken place, but Lacoste claims the Butts have failed to comply with parts of the court order which, required them to disclose the names and addresses of sources of the labels and of those to whom they have been supplied.

The company is also taking action against another brother, Waseem Ajaz Butt Shadid of Huxley Avenue, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, alleging he "knowingly assisted" in a contempt of court.

Although Zooba Ajaz Butt and his brother Babar Shafique Ahmed Butt have denied any involvement with counterfeit labels, Lacoste is now asking the court to commit them to prison for alleged contempt of the court order.

While the house was being kept under surveillance on the day of the search, Mr Tritton alleged Waseem Ajaz Butt Shahid, arrived and took away a large carrier bag.

A full hearing of the committal application will be heard on October 12.