Millionaire Music Bootlegger Jailed
A music bootlegger who had made millions over the past eleven years by selling illegal copies of concerts by hundreds of bands is facing a jail sentence and a seven-figure confiscation order.
Mark Purseglove made a fortune selling illegal bootlegs of live gigs by bands such as Oasis, The Beatles, Eminem, David Bowie, Madonna, Prince, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, Manic Street Preachers, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, REM, Radiohead, George Michael, Paul McCartney, Guns 'n' Roses and Bruce Springsteen.
The recordings were made by the band’s sound engineers (whom Purseglove allegedly bribed) and concert-goers and formed the basis for a piracy empire and a luxury lifestyle that included a £1.1 million townhouse in Clareville Street, Chelsea, London and an estimated income of over £6 million since 1993.
London's Blackfriars Crown Court heard that the 33-year-old sold the CDs at music festivals, shops and online, for prices up to £130 though a huge network of suppliers and tradesmen.
"He commissioned, manufactured and sold, here and elsewhere, unavailable or illicit recordings of musical works by virtually every well-known artist in the world." prosecutor David Groome explained.
It was also revealed that he was caught by Mick Jagger and Bill Wyman recording a Rolling Stones concert in 1992, and was put under a "perpetual restraining order" by the High Court, but carried on bootlegging regardless.
Purseglove now faces a seven-figure confiscation order, and may be jailed if he fails to pay. Sentencing is expected later this week.
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