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Sex shop owner fined after DVDs seized

Tuesday, 25 September 2007

The owner of a Belfast sex shop was today fined a total of £2,000 at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

In a case brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr Kevin Robinson, who trades as “Private Lines” at 31 Gresham Street, Belfast, faced eight charges under the Video Recordings Act (1984).

On 9 June 2006, as part of an exercise into the trading practices of the adult entertainment outlets (commonly known as sex shops) in the centre of Belfast, trading standards officers visited the premises of “Private Lines”.

Over 630 DVDs and videos were seized, either because they were unclassified or were marked with an R18 classification. DVDs and videos are required to be marked with a classification and those marked with an R18 classification can only be sold in a licensed sex shop. Mr Robinson was not in possession of such a licence.

The court also agreed to a forfeiture order in respect of the DVDs and videos which were seized.

Notes to Editors:

  1. Eight specimen charges were brought under the Video Recordings Act 1984; 4 under section 10(1) of the Act and 4 under 12(3) of the Act.
  2. Under section 10(1) of the Act it is an offence to be in possession for supply of video or DVD works which are not labeled with a classification. Classification certificates are issued by the British Board of Film Classification (the BBFC).
  3. Under section 12(3) of the Act it is an offence to be in possession for supply of video or DVD works labelled with an R18 classification on business premises other than a licensed sex shop. At the time of the enforcement visit, Mr Robinson had not been granted a license by Belfast City Council.
  4. Under section 21 of the Act, where a person is convicted of any offence under the Act, the court may order any video or DVD connected to the offences to be forfeited.
  5. For media enquiries please contact Lesley Dempster in the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297 or 07866 847919.
  6. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.