A JURY will next week continue deliberating over its verdict in the case against two businessmen accused of supplying fake sports star autographs.
The panel of nine women and three men at Chester Crown Court is considering allegations that Graeme Walker, 45, owner of Watergate Row-based Sporting Icons Ltd, of Mountain View Close, Connah’s Quay, Deeside, sold photos and shirts featuring fake signatures.
Co-defendant Faisal Madani, 43, of Grange Road, Bramhall, Stockport, is accused of supplying forgeries to Sporting Icons. Charges have also been laid against Sporting Icons Ltd.
Judge David Hale sent the jury home for the weekend and asked jury members to reconvene at 10.30am on Monday. Walker is unavailable until 1pm on Monday due to a hospital appointment meaning a verdict cannot be returned before then.
The judge had earlier explained that the accused, who deny all charges, could use the defence of “due diligence” in relation to the sale of alleged forged signatures if it could be proved they took all reasonable precautions to ensure the items were authentic.
