Working in partnership for the people of Herefordshire
Leominster man convicted of DVD counterfeiting offences
A Leominster man who was known as "someone who could get you any DVD you wanted" has lost £5,000 worth of goods and counterfeiting equipment.
Lee Sebbage, of Cheaton Close, pleaded guilty to ten charges under the Trade Marks Act and Copyright Designs and Patents Act.
He appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court on Friday, October 10, where he was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to forfeit the goods and equipment used in his counterfeiting operation which involved making and distribution illegal copies of DVDs.
Among the good seized were 1,300 fake DVDs along with computer and printing equipment which had been seized from his house by Herefordshire Council trading standards officers during a raid in November last year.
The court heard that Sebbage was known in the area and to his former work colleagues as the man from whom you could get any DVD you wanted.
These included DVDs of films which had not even been released at the cinema.
His operation involved using illegal software to override copy protection which allowed him to copy hired DVDs.
Speaking after the hearing, Herefordshire Council's trading standards manager, Mike Pigrem, said: "People who run a counterfeiting business, even from home, no matter how small scale, are breaking the law and are likely to find themselves before the courts.
"The penalties are potentially very severe and the courts can impose unlimited fines and or imprisonment, of up to ten years.
"The sale of fake goods such as DVDs not only has a damaging effect on reputable high street retailers but also defrauds the consumer, as the quality of the goods tends to be very poor.
"Although serious organised crime is behind most large scale counterfeiting operations, increasingly we are finding ordinary people are being drawn into such illegal activities."
Anyone with information on someone they suspect is carrying such illegal activity should contact Herefordshire Council's trading standards service on 01432 261761.