05 October 2023 , 16:21
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The mastermind behind a huge illegal Premier League streaming service has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Steven Mills, 58, from Shrewsbury, ran an operation called Firesticks which claimed to have 30,000 subscribers and netted more than £1m over a five year period. Investigators from the Premier League, West Mercia Police and anti-piracy organisation FACT also identified over 1,000 users.
Many of those users got a knock on the door. Mills, who pleaded guilty in June earlier this year to multiple fraud offences at Shrewsbury Crown Court, received a separate sentence for watching the service himself.
Kevin Plumb, Premier League General Counsel, said: “The sentence handed down by the Crown Court today once again clearly demonstrates the severity of piracy-related offences and the consequences that come with them. It is vital that the public continue to be made aware of the dangers and criminality associated with using illegal streaming services.
“We are aware that so-called ‘Firesticks’ are being sold as a means of illegally accessing all kinds of content, and today’s judgment should remove any doubt that it is illegal and treated very seriously by the courts.” The tough sentence is part of a major crackdown on Premier League piracy and follows the successful prosecution earlier this year which resulted in five individuals being jailed for a total of 30 years and seven months.
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Detective Inspector Matt McNelis, Senior Investigating Officer, West Mercia Police, added: “This was a great example of partners from law enforcement and industry coming together to have a profound effect on this type of criminality.” Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, added: “FACT are proud to have supported the Premier League in this major investigation.
“This successful outcome would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of West Mercia Police and GAIN. FACT are committed to safeguarding the broadcast rights of our partners and we hope that the severity of the sentence sends out a clear message that piracy is a crime that is taken very seriously by the courts.”