Sold counterfeit DVDs from two stores

A LURGAN man sold counterfeit DVDs from his two video stores, Craigavon court heard last Thursday.

He was 42-year-old Paul McGahan, of Belvedere Manor, Lurgan, and he admitted 11 offences under the Trade Marks Act and one under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act.

The offences took place on February 18 and 24, March 26, June 9 and 10 and September 2 of last year.

A prosecutor said a number of test purchases were made at Eddie’s Video Store, Drumgor Shopping Centre and the MGM store, Gilpinstown Road, Lurgan. They turned out to be counterfeit DVDs.

The two stores were under the control of the defendant and after searches of both premises and the defendant’s home counterfeit DVDs were confiscated.

The case had been adjourned so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

Mr Pat Vernon, solicitor for the defendant, said it was McGahan’s intention to run the two stores as legitimate businesses but he struggled to make a profit.

He explained that the defendant had overheads and competition from other sources so he succumbed to downloading the films. His family finances were in dire straits.

Mr Vernon said that McGahan had a lengthy record but his last offence for dishonesty was 16 years ago. He had given up the two shops.

District Judge, Mr Alan White, said these were serious offences which were ‘a curse in this community and put legitimate traders out of business’.

He told McGahan he was on the threshold of custody but because of the break in his record he would impose a combination order.

The judge put him on probation for 18 months - with the condition that he attend the ‘Think First’ programme - and gave him 100 hours community service.

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