Jury still out in sport autographs trial

Mar 28 2008 icWales

A JURY today resumed deliberations in the trial of two businessmen accused of ripping off their customers by forging and selling sports stars’ signatures.

Graeme Walker and Faisal Madani “systematically” forged and sold items bearing the autographs of England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, footballers David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen, and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Chester Crown Court has heard.

Other counterfeit goods, the prosecution said, included forgeries of England international caps and Worthington and European Cup final shirts which were sold as genuine.

Walker, 45, of Mountain View Close, Connah’s Quay, North Wales, is accused of more than 50 counts of cheating the customers of his shop, Sporting Icons Limited, which has a store in Chester city centre and also operates on the internet site eBay.

Madani, 43, of Grange Road, Bramhall, Stockport, faces 20 counts of supplying forgeries.

The pair claim the goods were bought in good faith and from reputable sources.

Star witnesses, including Gerrard, Owen, Wilkinson and Ian Rush, gave evidence to support the prosecution case.

The jury, which was sent out yesterday afternoon, has a total of 73 charges to consider.