Film pirate’s treasure captured

Last July, John Clark, 53, of Cumberland Avenue, Southend, was given a six month jail sentence suspended for two years, a 100-hour Community Punishment Order and an 8am till 6pm curfew, after being convicted of producing and supplying counterfeit DVDs of the latest Hollywood films. 

Police who raided his home, seized more than 400 such DVDs, hundreds of blank discs, specialised computer duplicating machines and a large amount of cash.

When sentencing Mr Clark, Southend Crown Court adjourned matters of forfeiture, costs and confiscation to a later date, to allow time for a full financial investigation. 

This has now been completed, and as a result Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Trading Standards Department has just brought the Proceeds of Crime Act case to court.

At Basildon Crown Court on Thursday 10th March, the court heard that Mr Clark's illegal business had yielded £35,000, and that he had current realise-able assets of £3,156.11.  

Mr Clark was ordered to pay £3,156.11 to the court within six months or face two months in prison.

He must then pay back the outstanding £35,000 when he is able to do so. The illegal DVDs, the computer equipment needed to produce them, blank DVDs and other ancillary goods were all forfeited too.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Group Manager for Regulatory Services, Carl Robinson said: "This is a very important case which shows the wide-ranging effects of the penalties we will employ.

"As well as serving the punishment itself, those who break the law by making counterfeit goods will also lose everything they have gained illegally - and more."