Law Weblog

Metric martyr trader convicted despite EU advice

Sunday 12 October 2008 at 11:37 am | In News | Post Comment

Magistrates convicted market trader Janet Devers, 64 on 8 October 2008 of eight offences under the Weights and Measures Act because she used imperial scales without an official stamp and sold produce by the bowl, despite the EU saying to do so should not be an offence.

She was ordered to pay almost £5,000 in costs and although being given a conditional discharge, now has a criminal record.

In September 2007, Gunther Verheugen, European Commission vice president for enterprise and industry, said Brussels never intended to criminalise those who sold in pounds and ounces; this is the first UK prosecution since the EU ruling.

News report here