COUNCIL watchdogs have struck a major blow in the ongoing campaign to scupper video 'pirates' by successfully prosecuting two local traders found dealing in hundreds of fake video films.

The prosecution resulted from complaints received by St Helens Council's Trading Standards section about the quality of video tapes hired from a mobile van operating throughout the borough. In one case a concerned consumer complained about the content and age classification of a video marketed as suitable for children.

Following investigations the owner of the mobile van and his supplier were arrested and their entire stock of more than 600 tapes were seized with 90 per cent found to be illegal copies.

Chief Trading Satndards Officer Ken Wardale said: "Video piracy is cheating on a grand scale. Local video shop owners operating within the law need protection against this crime. In addition, we find that the quality of the fake videos is often very poor."

And Richard Ward, chairman of the council's Housing and Environmental Services Committee, added: "Video piracy costs jobs locally as video shops struggle to compete. It also has an impact nationally as future film production is put at risk."

The defendants, Raymond Booth of Park Avenue North, Newton-le-Willows, and David Salisbury of Church Road, Golborne, pleaded guilty at St Helens Magistrates Court to specimen charges under the Trade Descriptions and Trade Marks Act and were each fined £300 and ordered to pay £200 prosecution costs. All the pirate videos were forfeited.

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