Telford pub landlord's £3,000 bill in Sky Sports probe

Simon Chandra was caught four times showing live Sky Sports matches without a proper licence.

He had claimed, after the first visit by inspectors to the Three Crowns Inn, that he was just demonstrating how his Sky link worked. But Chandra was taken to court after inspectors visited another three times and Sky Sports was again being screened.

The landlord, whose wife Susan is the licensed manager of the pub in Hinkshay Road, Dawley, appeared at Telford Magistrates Court.

He was charged with three counts of dishonestly receiving a programme with intent to avoid payment. He was ordered to pay £300 per offence, plus costs of £1,820 and a £20 victim surcharge.

Georgina Coade, prosecuting on behalf of the Federation Against Copyright Theft, told the court that inspectors had been to the pub in March 2015 and seen Sky Sports matches broadcast without the appropriate commercial licence.

She said: "Investigators are able to see if it is paid for under a commercial agreement because there is a small beer mug logo apparent in the bottom corner."

Miss Coade said Chandra was spoken to by phone and said he had been demonstrating how he could send a programme from his mobile phone to the main screen. The pub was visited a month later and given a presentation about proper use.

However, it was found to be broadcasting without the licence again on May 24, August 10 and September 20, 2015. Stephen Meredith, defending, said there had been confusion over the licences between the Three Crowns and a sister pub in Madeley. He said: "Ignorance is not an excuse."

The court heard the couple did have a commercial Sky subscription between August and November, but it was cancelled due to non-payment. Pub owner Marston's declined to comment and the landlord did not want to speak after the case.