Host to appeal non-EU satellite charge

A Northumberland licensee is appealing a conviction for showing Premier League football matches via a non-EU based foreign satellite.

The appeal by Alec Piercy, of the Ridge Farm Pub and Restaurant in Bedlington is believed the first against a conviction for use of a non-EU based decoder.

Piercy was prosecuted by Media Protection Services (MPS) for showing a match at his pub on 18 December 2005.

He was convicted by Newcastle Magistrates Court on 18 February this year and has now appealed to the Crown Court. The case has been listed for a five-day hearing in September.

It is understood the appeal will be based on several issues of European law despite the use of a non-EU based system.

"This is an important test case," said Paul Dixon of solicitors Molesworth, Bright and Clegg. "The appeal is a further challenge to the Premier league's attempts to prolong a damaging restriction on the reception of satellite broadcasts and deny hard working licensees the freedom of choice of television services."

Ray Hoskin of MPS said: "It is exactly the same as appealing a speeding offence to the Crown Court. It doesn't mean everyone can now do 150 miles per hour."

Last November the Premier League said it would be "pointless" bringing new prosecutions until after the landmark Karen Murphy legal case, at the European Court of Justice.

However, Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson warned that action would be taken against licensees who use the systems after the Murphy appeal.

MPS, which investigates the screenings, said licensees of 47 pubs have been prosecuted since last July for showing foreign satellite football.

They've been forced to pay an average of just over £1,500 in fines and costs.

MPS said prosecutions are for screenings outside the "closed period" of 3pm on Saturdays and include cards both from inside and outside Europe.

About 100 cases per month are going to court, said the group.