A man who earned more than £370,000 selling imported TV streaming boxes with illegal software on them has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Daniel David Brown, 28, built up successful business from his home in Llansamlet, Wales, from where he sold Kodi boxes and helped customers gain access to channels.
However, Swansea Crown Court heard how Brown’s wrongdoing came to light after broadcaster BSkyB made a complaint to South Wales Police about breach of copyright – sparking a joint investigation with Swansea Council.
Lee Reynolds, prosecuting, said it was impossible to put a figure on how much money media companies had lost through cancelled subscriptions and the avoidance of pay-to-view fees from people using Brown&apos;s boxes.
However, it was revealed that Brown’s company Maiz Box Ltd, had a recorded a turnover of some £371,000 between June 2014 and March 2016.
Brown, of Peniel Green Road, Llansamlet, Swansea , had previously pleaded guilty to an offence of fraudulent trading under the Companies Act 2006 when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.
Mr Reynolds said Brown imported the Android boxes from China then installed illegal software on them which allowed users to access channels such as Sky Sports for free.
The court heard he then sold the boxes through Facebook and also offered “technical back-up” to customers.
David Leathley, Brown’s defence lawyer, said that while the boxes themselves had not been illegal, “it was to his shame” that his client had added the extra software.
Judge Peter Heywood said Brown was “industrious but misguided in some ways” and was "clearly skilled in the use of computer technology".
Sentenced to 18 months in prison and suspended for 24 months, Brown was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.
The court was told he had agreed to pay Swansea Council some £19,996.08 towards the cost of his prosecution, so no orders were made under the Proceeds of Crime Act - but a repayment rate of £800-per-month was set.