Two pub landlords ordered to pay over £30,000 for illegal domestic use of Sky

Fredrick Young of the Rose Inn, Shenfield, Essex had an appeal dismissed for a conviction for six offences of dishonest reception of a television transmission (Sky televised football matches) at his pub.

Young was ordered to pay the original fines and costs of £19,537, plus further appeal costs of £2,111. He was also warned that he would face nine months’ imprisonment should the total amount of fines and costs not be paid within 6 months.

Ishil Bursuk of the Black Horse, Enfield, was also convicted this week, following a successful prosecution by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) for showing Sky Sports programmes illegally in her premises and was ordered to pay a total of £11,130.50 in fines and costs.

Both convictions relate to the use of a domestic viewing card to show Sky Sports in a licensed premises, without having signed a commercial agreement with Sky.

Stephen Gerrard, prosecuting manager of FACT, said: “Our aim is to create an effective deterrent to publicans who endeavour to fraudulently show Sky programmes on their premises. 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: “These cases demonstrate the seriousness of this issue, as courts continue to deliver considerable penalties to licensees who televise Sky content illegally. “Sky’s on-going support for FACT in prosecuting licensees who break the law demonstrates our commitment to protecting the interests of our legitimate subscribers.”