Shopkeeper admits selling fake DVDs

Deputy council leader acts as character witness

The deputy leader of Oldham Council described as “trustworthy” a shopkeeper who admitted selling hundreds of fake DVDs.

Sajid Mahmood (37), of Grange Avenue, Coppice, appeared in court yesterday charged with five counts of selling DVDs bearing false trademarks, including a range of Bollywood films, “Avatar” and “Hostel”.

In a character witness statement Councillor Shoab Akhtar said he saw the shopkeeper as a “trustworthy” member of the community.

Trading Standards and police officers went to Mahmood’s shop, Apna DVD Centre in Osborne Street, Werneth, in September 2011 after a tip-off. They confiscated 632 discs suspected to be fakes. Mahmood told police he didn’t know the difference between real and fake DVDs or the address of his supplier.

He later admitted he had asked his supplier whether they were genuine - before choosing to sell them.

Convicted of seven counts of fraud in 2010 - with 478 similar charges taken into account - Mahmood pleaded guilty at Oldham Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.