A Watford man will face a crown court trial over allegedly selling 1,237 boxes of fake chocolate bars.

Mayank Soneji, of Swiss Close, appeared in Luton Magistrates’ Court on June 13 and is set to appear in Luton Crown Court on July 17 for trial.

He allegedly sold the chocolates bearing a sign that was identical to, or likely to be mistaken for, a Wonka Bar trade mark. According to another charge, he also applied signs similar or identical to the trademark to goods or packaging.

Soneji, 36, also faces three charges relating to contravening or failing to comply with food safety and hygiene regulations.

According to court documents, one of these charges relates to "unhygienic surroundings" involving bars being unsealed and “pest activity”.

He was also charged with possessing or controlling material bearing a false trademark and possessing goods with a false trademark intending to sell them, again for chocolate bars.

The location for all charges is given as Luton and the boxes were allegedly sold between May 2021 and March 2022.

Two fraud charges and a fourth food safety and hygiene-related charge were withdrawn.

Charges brought against a company named SP Wholesale Limited, based in Leagrave Road, Luton, will be heard on the same day.

Court documents for all the SP Wholesale Limited charges refer to chocolate bars.