Huge fine for pub showing illegal Sky Sports
A North London pub has been ordered to pay £12,030 in fines after using a domestic Sky card to screen sports.
Alan and Beta Johnson of the Queens Head in Green Lanes, London, were convicted of four offences each of dishonest reception of a television transmission. They did not have a commercial contract for the pub.
Each defendant was fined a total of £6,015 and ordered to pay £804 in costs.
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) said there had been 1,100 similar prosecutions to date — with 100 this season alone and a further 100 pending.
"Our aim is to help create an effective deterrent to publicans who endeavour to fraudulently show Sky content on their premises," said FACT prosecuting manager Stephen Gerrard.
"As numerous cases have shown we successfully pursue and prosecute dishonest licensees who are then faced with substantial fines, costs and a criminal record."
A spokesperson for Sky said: "This case demonstrates the seriousness of this issue as courts continue to deliver considerable penalties to licensees who televise Sky content illegally.
"Sky's ongoing support for FACT in prosecuting licensees who break the law demonstrates our commitment to protecting the interests of our legitimate subscribers'.
