Ayrshire police recover pirate DVDs

Nov 7 2008

HUNDREDS of pirate movies were seized when police and trading standards officers raided a house in Dailly.

And the man behind the illegal operation found himself in the dock at Ayr Sheriff Court as a result.

Stephen Cochrane had pled guilty to having 495 illegal film DVDs and 525 illegal music CDs in his possession when he was rumbled by the officers plying his trade.

And when they later searched his home in the village’s Church Crescent they discovered more than 1000 more dodgy movies in his bedroom.

The 46-year-old went on to admit his guilt when he was finally brought to justice.

And he was fined £600 for breaching the Copyright and Designs and Patents Act.

Councillor Peter Convery insists that there is no hiding place for rogue traders like Cochrane.

He said: “South Ayrshire Council has a legal duty to protect its business community and that includes a zero tolerance approach to individuals like this man, who run so called cottage industries producing illicit music, games and films.

“Their activities have a serious affect on legitimate businesses who are trying to trade fairly in South Ayrshire but who are undercut by this type of behaviour.

“Traders such as this do not pay any taxes on their earnings unlike the vast majority of law abiding businesses.”

And his views were echoed by trading standards boss David Thomson, who says that his officers will continue to root out offenders.

He said: “We are committed to protecting legitimate businesses from this unfair competition and the general public from sub standard copied products.

“Mr Cochrane came to our attention as a result of a valuable tip off and I would encourage anyone who has information on these kinds of activities to report it confidentially to trading standards on 01292 616062.”