A copyright fraudster who turned over £600,000 from selling counterfeit DVDs online has been jailed for three years today at a trial at Guildford Crown Court.

Trevor Pegg, 61, of Epsom was found guilty on 13 different counts under the Trade Marks Act, Fraud Act and Proceeds of Crime Act after being stopped in his tracks by Surrey County Council’s Trading Standards and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).

Pegg had spent over three years selling illegal copies of popular DVDs including Disney’s Little Mermaid and Mrs Brown’s Boys on websites such as eBay and Play, with HHJ Fraser commenting that Pegg was “obsessed with the business” and  told “dealing counterfeit goods has significant consequences.”

Surrey County Council’s Trading Standards Investigations and Enforcement Manager Steve Playle said: “We hope today’s sentencing demonstrates quite clearly that you cannot get away with this type of illegal activity. We have worked hard to bring Mr Pegg to justice in order to protect consumers and legitimate traders.  As always, this case serves as a reminder that shoppers to be on their guard when purchasing products online.”

Kieron Sharp, Director General, FACT, said: “The sale of counterfeit DVDs on online market places presents considerable risks to consumers and the creative industries alike. This is a significant result arising from extensive and exemplary partnership work between Surrey Trading Standards, Border Force and FACT, and Mr Pegg’s sentencing today demonstrates that these are serious offences which carry severe penalties.”

Confiscation proceedings will take place against Pegg later in the year where Surrey County Council will look to recover proceeds of his criminal activity.