A businessman has pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit alloy wheels.

Perry Ivor Waterman, 51, of Glendale Avenue, Edgware, pleaded guilty at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, July 24 to ten charges relating to his businesses, Etonlaw Limited and Bespoke Performance Wheels Limited, which traded as Super Sport Wheels.

The offences, including fraud, took place between March 2010 and November 2014, when Waterman sold counterfeit alloy wheels and copies of major brands such as Mercedes, BMW, Audi, VW, Land Rover and Porsche.

He traded from a shop at Stirling Way in Borehamwood and the investigation was carried out by trading standards officers from Hertfordshire county council.

The case was adjourned, pending probation reports, until September 3, when Waterman will be sentenced.

Councillor Richard Thake, Hertfordshire county council cabinet member for community safety, said: “This was probably one of the biggest investigations we have conducted in recent years and it is satisfying that we have now brought it to court.

“I’ve no doubt that the sheer weight of evidence provided by our officers was influential in the accused pleading guilty and which has ultimately saved the public purse a long and costly trial.

“Let this be a stark warning to anyone trading in counterfeit goods - we will catch up with you.”