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The Accra Circuit Court has fined a 45-year-old man GH�1,200 for producing imitation drinks of GIHOC Distilleries, an alcoholic beverage producing company. The court, presided over by Mr Francis Obiri, said the convict, William Bortey, would spend six months in prison with hard labour if he failed to pay the fine. Bortey manufactured Mandingo Bitters, Herb Afrik and Castle Bridge Dry Gin which were likely to be confused with the original products of GIHOC Distilleries. He was charged with forging the trademark of the company on alcoholic beverages for sale. Bortey pleaded not guilty to the charges but was found guilty by the court. Facts Prosecuting, ASP Abraham A. Annor said the complainant was the Managing Director of GIHOC Distilleries, while the accused person was a trader resident at Nungua in Accra. He said on February 27, 2014, the complainant reported to the police that some people were faking the company�s products and offering them for sale. He said on March 12, 2014, a team of detectives went to Nungua where the accused was arrested. Mr Annor said a search conducted in the accused person�s house revealed equipment used in manufacturing alcoholic beverages, corks, labels of Herb Afrik, Mandingo Bitters and Castle Bridge and gallons of alcoholic beverages. He said Bortey admitted the offence in his caution statement. The prosecutor stated that on March 17, 2014 samples of the alcoholic products were sent to the Ghana Standards Authority for examination and the results received on April 14, 2014 showed that the products retrieved from the accused person were not of the same standard as those of GIHOC Distilleries.