Sporting Icons latest: verdict expected next week

Mar 20 2008 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

THE verdict is expected next week in a trial involving two men accused of supplying fake sports star autographs bought by the public.

Graeme Walker, 45, owner of Chester-based Sporting Icons Ltd, of Mountain View Close, Connah’s Quay, Deeside, denies more than 50 counts of cheating his customers by selling counterfeit signatures.

Faisal Madani, 43, of Grange Road, Bramhall, Stockport, described in court as the “the wholesaler”, denies 20 counts of supplying forgeries.

Andrew Thomas, QC, summing up for the prosecution, told the jury Walker had not only failed to prove “due diligence” in ensuring his stock was genuine – he knew he was buying and selling fakes.

In many cases he did not possess specimen signatures to compare with his goods.

He accepted Walker might have been “conned” by Madani who falsely claimed he was the brother of a former Manchester United director and cited George Best as a close friend after meeting him twice, yet this did not excuse his failure to carry out checks.

Alarms bells should have been sounding, argued Mr Thomas.

Full story in Friday’s Chronicle.