TV box-scam cleaner lured by chance of ‘easy money’
GMP WORKER HELPED COP-TURNED-DRUG DEALER IN HIGH-VALUE FRAUD
A GMP worker who helped a cop-turned-drugs boss sell dodgy TV boxes was lured by the prospect of ‘easy money,’ a court heard.
Martyn Foster, 39, worked as a car cleaner at the police station where Daniel Aimson, a former Pc who led a double life as a drug dealer, was based.
He was spared jail after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud. The court was told the dodgy boxes deprived companies like Sky of legitimate custom.
Manchester Crown Court heard Foster, from Leigh, became friends with Aimson and agreed to work with him to sell the boxes online, which allow viewers to access pay per view TV from broadcasters such as Sky and BT Sport without paying the usual subscription fees.
Prosecutors said the ‘sophisticated’ operation selling ZGemma boxes online raked in £655,000 over just 13 months.
The court heard previously that Aimson lived a ‘lavish lifestyle’ on the proceeds, taking his now former wife for expensive meals and hotel stays.
But Foster’s lawyer said he didn’t enjoy such luxuries, and was living ‘month to month’ with debts to repay.
Nicola Gatto said Foster was ‘enticed’ by the prospect of ‘easy money.’
She said he was persuaded to work for ‘manipulative’ Aimson. officer Daniel Aimson was jailed
Prosecutors said Foster’s responsibilities included boxing orders and sending them out.
Ms Gatto said Aimson taught Foster how to ‘chip’ the devices.
The court was told that Foster earned about £25,000 from the enterprise, which he used to top up his salary.
Ms Gatto said police didn’t find any ‘high value’ items when they searched Foster’s home.
She said ‘mild mannered’ Foster found Aimson ‘forceful,’ and that he was ‘certainly no match’ for him.
GMP said Foster is currently suspended from duty, and is set to face a Professional Standards Branch hearing at a later date.
The court was told Foster plans to marry his partner, and has set up his own car valeting business.
Aimson, from Wigan, was sacked by GMP in February 2017. He was sentenced to six years and four months in jail in December that year.
Earlier this month, Aimson was ordered to serve a further 12 months in jail after admitting conspiracy to defraud.
Foster, of Stott Wharf, Leigh, has now received a nine-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
On deciding to spare Foster jail, Judge Elizabeth Nicholls said he was previously of ‘impeccable good character,’ and that there was a strong prospect of rehabilitation.