A COUPLE have appeared in court accused of fraudulently screening live football at their Keighley pub.
William Carter, 46, and Claire Muldoon, 40, who run the Albert Hotel in Bridge Street, each face three charges of dishonestly receiving a programme with intent to avoid payment.
It is alleged that investigators caught them screening Sky football – on August 30, November 22 and November 29 last year – without having paid the appropriate fee to the broadcaster.
The couple deny the charges and claim a company called Media Vision Rentals, of Oldham, offered them the chance to show football in the pub at a much-reduced price and told them it was legal.
They admit screening the football, but deny doing it dishonestly.
Muldoon told Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court on Tuesday that they paid Media Vision Rentals £292 a month to broadcast in the pub.
The actual Sky fee is £1,224.59 a month, the court heard.
Prosecutor James Marsland, representing the Federation Against Copyright Theft, said the product sold by Media Vision Rentals was a domestic agreement, rather than a commercial one.
Adjourning the case for trial on August 18, chairman of the bench, Nadine Tidswell, told the couple: "Get some legal advice. This is going to be quite technical. It is very rare."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article