A major Cumbria Trading Standards operation which netted a huge haul of pirated DVDs, CDs and computer games is to receive national recognition next week.
The operation, which began in 2005 and later culminated in a number of successful raids, has already led to the convictions of 18 counterfeiters and the seizure of £168,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Three custodial sentences (one suspended) have also been handed down by the Courts alongside to fines totaling £21,000.
On Monday 19 February, Carlisle Crown Court will hold a Proceeds of Crime hearing into the case of Stephen John Brown from Finch Close in the city, who was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in November 2006 after a successful prosecution brought by Cumbria Trading Standards.
The computer games industry body, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), will present a special award to Trading Standards on the same day.
Print and broadcast media are invited to join Cumbria County Council's Deputy Leader Joan Stocker outside Carlisle Crown Court at 10:00am where she will accept the award on behalf of the county's Trading Standards department.
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337
Notes for editors
Attached is a briefing paper which explains more about ELSPA and the Cumbria Trading Standards anti-counterfeiting operation.
Follow this link to view the briefing paper