Esta backs arrested foreign satellite supplier

A group representing suppliers of foreign satellite equipment says that it is standing by a supplier who has been arrested for allegedly selling screening cards to pubs.

Mark Elsdon, of Digisales, was arrested by North Wales police after a joint raid with trading standards officers.

Elsdon was arrested on suspicion of breaching copyright by selling foreign satellite cards and has been released on police bail.

The European Satellite Television Association (Esta) said that it has written to local trading standards officers and Media Protection Services (MPS), which investigates foreign satellite screenings, asking for equipment that was seized in the raid to be returned to Elsdon.

MPS managing director Ray Hoskin said: "As I understand it, the property was seized by trading standards and police on a warrant from the magistrates. I referred them back to the authorities."

Last month All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group chairman John Grogan held a reception in Westminster for representatives of Esta to discuss the issue of foreign satellite screenings of football in pubs.