Sky prosecution of publican thrown out

Paul Dixon

On Tuesday 4 September 2012, Plymouth Magistrates Court dismissed the case against Stan Ashton of the Friary Vaults, St Judes, Plymouth for allegedly showing Sky domestic broadcasts in his premises without a Sky commercial contract.

The prosecution was brought by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (”FACT”) on behalf of BSkyB. FACT alleged that Mr Ashton had shown three Sky Sports Live broadcasts of Premier League football matches at the Friary Vaults in August (2) and October (1) 2011 without having a Sky commercial contract.

Speaking after the two day trial, Mr Ashton’s solicitor, Paul Dixon of Molesworths Bright Clegg in Rochdale said: “The magistrates had no hesitation in dismissing the charges against my client.

"Stan Ashton is a credit to the licensed trade and one of the kindest people you could ever wish to meet. I am delighted that were able to establish his innocence and preserve his good character.

"This is the fourth case of this type against clients of mine that has been thrown out by the courts in the space of two weeks. The time has come for Sky to call a halt to its campaign of prosecutions against the licensed trade.”