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Fans 'conned in autograph scam' Fans 'conned in autograph scam'
(about 1 hour later)
Sports fans were conned into spending thousands of pounds on faked autographs of their heroes, a jury was told.Sports fans were conned into spending thousands of pounds on faked autographs of their heroes, a jury was told.
Autographs of Jonny Wilkinson and David Beckham were "systematically" forged and sold by Graeme Walker, 45, and Faisal Madani, 42, the court heard. Autographs of Jonny Wilkinson and David Beckham were "systematically" forged and sold by Graeme Walker, 45, and Faisal Madani, 43, the court heard.
Mr Walker, 45, of Connah's Quay, Deeside, denies more than 50 counts of cheating customers at Chester's Sporting Icons Limited. Mr Walker, of Connah's Quay, Deeside, north Wales, denies more than 50 counts of cheating customers at Chester's Sporting Icons Limited.
Mr Madani, 43, of Stockport, denies 20 counts of supplying the forgeries. Mr Madani, of Stockport, denies 20 counts of supplying the forgeries.
Other stars whose signatures were forged include Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Sir Alex Ferguson, Chester Crown Court was told.Other stars whose signatures were forged include Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Sir Alex Ferguson, Chester Crown Court was told.
Some of them are expected to give evidence, or have statements read to the jury, next week.Some of them are expected to give evidence, or have statements read to the jury, next week.
'Reputable sources''Reputable sources'
Mr Walker, of Mountain View Close, Connah's Quay, Deeside, and Mr Madani, of Grange Road, Stockport, Greater Manchester, are accused of trading the goods from Sporting Icons in Chester, and also on the internet auction site eBay. Mr Walker, of Mountain View Close, and Mr Madani, of Grange Road, Stockport, Greater Manchester, are accused of trading the goods from Sporting Icons in Chester and also on the internet auction site eBay.
They claim the goods were bought in good faith and from reputable sources.They claim the goods were bought in good faith and from reputable sources.
Andrew Thomas QC, prosecuting, opened the trial, saying: "Those charges are only a sample of the many hundreds of forged and counterfeit goods either sold or offered for sale by Sporting Icons.Andrew Thomas QC, prosecuting, opened the trial, saying: "Those charges are only a sample of the many hundreds of forged and counterfeit goods either sold or offered for sale by Sporting Icons.
"It would have been impossible to track down all the international stars and the representative bodies responsible for authenticating them.""It would have been impossible to track down all the international stars and the representative bodies responsible for authenticating them."
He said some customers paid premium prices, hundreds or even thousands of pounds, in the belief they were buying genuine goods.He said some customers paid premium prices, hundreds or even thousands of pounds, in the belief they were buying genuine goods.
The trial continues.The trial continues.