Thirsk Man Jailed for £1m Illegal Streaming Operation
Brothers Jailed for £3.7m Illegal Streaming Operation
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Two brothers have been sentenced to prison for thier roles in a lucrative illegal streaming operation that generated millions of pounds. Stephen Woodward, 41, received a sentence of three years and one month, while his brother, Christopher Woodward, 39, was given a 15-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with 240 hours of unpaid work.
The operation, which involved distributing copyrighted material, was uncovered by the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU).the court heard how Stephen Woodward was the mastermind behind the scheme, which allowed users to access a vast library of films and TV shows for a subscription fee.
The Scale of the Operation
Investigators discovered that Stephen Woodward had amassed a notable fortune from his illegal activities. Evidence found on his phone included photos of stacks of cash in plastic bags, highlighting the significant profits generated.The PIPCU estimated that the operation had generated approximately £3.7 million.
On Febuary 21, Stephen Woodward pleaded guilty to distributing articles infringing copyright and four counts of money laundering. His brother, Christopher Woodward, admitted to money laundering at the same hearing.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
sentencing Stephen Woodward on Friday, Judge Sean Morris described his crime as “one of greed” and stated that his brother would not have been involved if not for him. He imposed a sentence of three years and one month in prison.
Christopher Woodward, from Dalton Moor in Thirsk, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work. The judge directly addressed christopher, saying, “You are not hear because of a brilliant idea you had, you are here because you stupidly got involved with your brother.”
Impact on Creative Industries
Detective Constable Daryl Fryatt from the PIPCU emphasized the detrimental impact of illegal streaming on the creative industries. “illegal streaming weakens the creative industries by diverting money away from legitimate businesses and into the hands of criminals like Stephen Woodward,” he stated.
DC Fryatt explained that lost revenue from illegal streaming leads to fewer jobs and reduced investment in future projects. He estimated that such criminal activity contributes to over 80,000 job losses annually.
Despite being under criminal investigation,Stephen Woodward reportedly continued to try and profit from his illegal activities. DC Fryatt added, “His sentencing and upcoming confiscation proceedings should send a message that there are significant consequences for criminals who enable illegal access to copyrighted content.”
the confiscation proceedings will aim to recover the illicit gains made by Stephen Woodward, further underscoring the legal repercussions of such criminal enterprises.