Craig Austin, a 38-year-old former ambulance service worker from Whiston, has been handed a suspended sentence after making more than £200,000 from selling illegal Fire Sticks that provided unauthorised access to Sky Sports streams.
Operating under the alias "Aussie 90" on social media, Austin attracted over 1,000 customers during a five-year operation that potentially cost Sky £3m in lost revenue, Liverpool Crown Court heard.
Scheme began after wife lost job
The court was told Austin started the scheme to "make ends meet" after his wife lost her job. He offered six-month subscriptions for £40 or 12-month packages for £80.
Police executed a search warrant at Austin's Keats Avenue home in August last year, seizing mobile phones and Fire Sticks. Under interview, he admitted he "knew it was dodgy" but was trying to support his family.
Suspended sentence and unpaid work
The former ambulance service worker was handed a 32-month suspended sentence with 150 hours of unpaid work. Judge Recorder Daniel Lister said: "This is really serious behaviour. The figures involved are eye-watering."
Cries of "yes" were heard from Austin's supporters as he was told he would not be going to prison.
