Golf clubs swindle - 'I lost money'

13 November 2009

A WELDER accused of involvement in the world's biggest ever eBay scam, told a court he was short-changed by the criminal mastermind.

Mark Kent, 46, of Eastwood Drive, Rainham, said he was recruited by former boss Gary Bellchambers to post thousands of pounds worth of golf clubs to customers, but ended up out of pocket.

Bellchambers, also 46, of Dunedin Road, Rainham, has admitted masterminding the largest known eBay swindle, which saw golfers across the world duped into bidding for fake equipment.

Bellchambers set up an eBay account for Kent who simply posted off the phoney putters, wedges and irons, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Kent claimed his dyslexia and limited computer knowledge meant he only communicated with Bellchambers over the telephone.

His IT skills involved opening and reading emailed messages containing customer orders, Kent explained.

The court heard Bellchambers netted more than £27,000 from Kent's eBay sales of counterfeit Odyssey clubs.

But Kent claimed he eventually lost money after his cut of the profits went on postage and courier fees.

Other accused include Roy Cottee, 65, and his wife Kay, 46, of Thorn Lane, Rainham, who deny two counts of conspiracy to sell or distribute goods bearing signs likely to be mistaken for a registered trademark. Kent and Keith Thomas, of Martin Drive, Rainham, deny one similar charge.

Bellchambers admits one conspiracy charge and two of unauthorised use of trademark.

The Cottees also deny a charge of conspiracy to defraud.

The trial continues.