A CONFECTIONERY worker who ran a counterfeit DVD operation from his York home has been given a one-year suspended prison sentence at York Crown Court.

Described as having an otherwise exemplary record, Ian Raymond Legg’s home in Whitley Close, Rawcliffe, was raided by police in December 2008, where they discovered counterfeit films, thousands of blank discs and computer equipment for creating pirate films and music CDs.

Legg, 42, was charged with one count of possessing a computer intended to make counterfeit goods and eight counts of possessing pirate films.

Katherine Robinson, for the prosecution, said: “Some of these films are old and some are more recent. Counts two to eight were only on release in the cinema at the time and didn’t legally exist as DVDs.”

She said: “There was also evidence of the defendant emailing out lists of available films.”

However the prosecution was unable to prove any earnings Legg had made from the illicit business, or how long the operation had been running, though a sticker on one delivery box dated back to two months before the police raid.

Glenn Parsons, in mitigation, said his client’s case had brought home to him the seriousness of the proceedings against him and made him realise this was not a victimless crime.

He also asked the judge for leniency in light of Legg’s guilty plea and his previously good record.

Recorder Anthony Kelbrick told Legg, who works for Nestle in York: “The court of appeal has said time and time again the people who have done what you have done are to be punished.

“I have no doubt that you have been involved in this illicit trade to some considerable tune.

“Fortunately for you the prosecution are unable to say what your benefit has been in cash terms, nor what level of trade their has been in these discs.

“In my judgement this has been a considerably profitable undertaking.”

He sentenced Legg to a year in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work in the community.