Doug Love, Lead Practitioner in Trading Standards at Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s Trading Standards has received the Intellectual Property Award at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) annual Hero Awards which celebrates outstanding achievements in consumer protection.
The Hero Awards took place on 22 November in the House of Commons hosted by Yvonne Fovargue MP and the early breakfast show host Jenni Falconer. The CTSI Hero Awards provide an excellent platform to recognise individuals or groups making exceptional contributions to consumer protection within our communities, ensuring fair competition and safeguarding businesses.
Doug Love played a crucial role as the Senior Investigating Officer in a joint investigation involving the Premier League and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) targeting a company engaged in illegal internet streaming of sports and other subscription channels.
This case resulted in the conviction of six defendants on charges of conspiracy to defraud, with one facing money laundering charges. The perpetrators, responsible for illegally streaming live Premier League football matches, made over £7 million before receiving a cumulative sentence of over 30 years, with the ringleader sentenced to 11 years. This case is thought to be one of the biggest copyright cases of its kind.
The Flawless case also featured an ongoing financial investigation, resulting in the early restraint of approximately £2 million in assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). Doug’s Hammersmith colleague, Richard Murphy, an Accredited Financial Investigator has done and continues to do outstanding work to progress this.
Doug said “I thank CTSI for this award, but I was just one necessary part of a true partnership effort. Without FACT discovering the offenders, my excellent Trading Standards and financial investigation colleagues, and the fantastic and rigorous approach of the Premier League’s Legal Team, this case would have never reached Court and the offenders not brought to account”.
CTSI Chief Executive, John Herriman, said: “Doug’s rigorous investigative work in this case is truly outstanding, and deserving of recognition by the wider profession and his peers. The Hero Awards are so important as they give us an opportunity to spotlight the incredible work that often goes unnoticed and where those committed to protecting the public have gone the extra mile. We take huge pride in Doug’s achievements and his dedication to tackling criminality which helps to ensure that consumers are better protected.”
Graham Mogg, Managing Director from the WRi Group helped to present this Award as supporter of the Intellectual Property Award Category.