A fraudster pocketed hundreds of thousands of pounds by selling pirated subscriptions to stream Premier League and Champions League games before fleeing the country with his dog.
Mark Brockley, who remains on the run and is believed to be living abroad, was handed a lengthy prison sentence at Liverpool Crown Court today, Friday. His exploits potentially cost BT Sport millions of pounds in lost revenue.
A trial, prosecuted by Dominic Hockley, previously heard that the 54-year-old, formerly of John Bagot Close in Everton, was involved in a "pyramid selling scheme" alongside an unidentified man known only as Freddie - who sat at the top of the operation. Brockley advertised the services of the illicit Infinity IPTV platform on social media and "recruited and controlled others below him".
READ MORE: Family furious as thug avoids jail for sickening attack on son
He also failed to disclose his unlawful income for tax purposes, having generated an estimated £312,000 through his involvement - evidenced by transfers directly into his PayPal and bank accounts. It was estimated that his actions caused a loss in revenue in the region of £3million to BT, this being the sum which would have been generated if his clientele had instead subscribed to the legal service for one year.
Investigators believe that Brockley then travelled to France in the company of his dog in order to evade justice, with his current whereabouts being unknown. A probe was launched in November 2018 when the broadcaster reported a Twitter account using the handle @Infinity_IPTV, which was "advertising the sale of premium film, television and sports content to its followers".
Subscribers could purchase a month's subscription for £15, with the defendant found to have made a total of 5,251 sales between October 2014 and May 2019. It was also discovered that Brockley had not declared any income to HM Revenue and Customs since December 2018.
His home was raided by police in July 2019, when officers seized £1,200 in cash as well as a laptop and a mobile phone which linked him to the Twitter profile. Despite the involvement of the law, he received a further 10 payments for his services after this date.
Daniel Travers, defending, told the court this morning: "It is disappointing to say the least that the defendant did not attend his trial and is not here today. That limits much of what we maybe would have hoped to discuss with him and recite.
"Realistically now, the court will not consider suspending any sentence. There are clearly those operating above him.
"There are many, many people above him. In my submission, Mr Brockley performed more of a management role.
"I ask him to be treated as effectively of good character. Undoubtedly, this will have a devastating impact on him."
Brockley was found guilty of distributing articles infringing on copyright and fraudulently evading income tax by a jury in his absence. The dock remained empty as he was jailed for five years, with a warrant having been issued for his arrest.
Sentencing, Judge David Swinnerton said: "This is not a victimless crime. This was a sophisticated enterprise on a large scale, it was well-planned and carried out over a long period of time.
"While not at the very pinnacle, I do find Mr Brockley played a leading role. He made a substantial profit and caused a substantial loss."
The City of London Police, who prosecuted this case, are now appealing for information on Brockley's whereabouts. Detective Constable Geoffrey Holbrook, of the force's intellectual property crime unit, said following the sentencing: "Brockley made tens of thousands of pounds from an illegal activity and used the money to fund his lifestyle.
"Despite being interviewed by PIPCU officers and knowing that his actions were against the law, he continued to sell IPTV subscriptions and then left the country in an attempt to avoid the consequences of his actions. We are now appealing for information on Brockley’s whereabouts, and ask anyone who may be able to help to contact the City of London Police."
READ NEXT: Girl kicked paedophile in groin after he pinned her to bed
Barman unmasked as Snapchat paedophile after sending picture of car's reg plates
Abuser stood over girlfriend wielding axe and told her 'this is the end'
'Ludicrously dangerous' plan to watch Liverpool FC game for free
'Trusted lieutenant' in international cocaine ring jailed again after leading new crime group
