“Premier League prosecutions are unlawful”

Date online: 17/08/2012

On Thursday 16th August 2012 the High Court in London held that prosecutions brought by Media Protection Services (“MPS”) on behalf of FA Premier League against Andrew & Christine Crawford for using an Albanian satellite television system at the Railway Inn at Helsby, Cheshire were conducted illegally.

The High Court upheld a decision by Chester Magistrates Court dismissing the proceedings because MPS and its director, Mr Raymond Hoskin had acted as though they were solicitors, when they were not.

In dismissing the appeal by MPS, Lord Justice Stanley Burnton said that “their prosecution is incompetent……the proceedings were…void and should be dismissed”

Speaking after the hearing, the Crawfords’ solicitor, Paul Dixon of Molesworths in Rochdale, said “I am delighted for Andrew & Christine. They are honest, decent and hard working licensees, and they can now focus on what they do best - serving their local community. This decision of the High Court will have implications for all prosecutions brought by MPS between 2005 and 2011.”

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