A DVD vendor who claimed that he was doing business for a Corporate Area senior cop was fined $4,000 or 20 days for exposing goods in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court recently.

The accused, Dean McLaughin, was charged with exposing goods for sale and breaching the Copyright Act.

However, the charge of breaching the Copyright Act was later withdrawn.

The arresting officer, Sergeant Stanford Riley, told the court that the accused was seen selling 'bootleg' dvds on Constant Spring Road on the day of the incident.

According to the sergeant, he and two other constables had devised a plan of approach to apprehend the accused, however, the accused became aware and he and another man later ran and they gave chase.

senior cop

The sergeant then told the court that when the the accused was held he told him that he was selling the DVDs on behalf of a senior cop.

However, the accused clarified to the court that when he made that remark to the sergeant, it was in regards to other duties which he did for the cop which was, "to gather information in the street ... It was not for any dvd business."

The accused also told the court that the DVDs did not belong to him and he was actually standing in proximity to them 'minding his own business' as he waited on someone.

He also explained to the court that he had witnesses but they were absent when the matter was heard.

The sergeant, however, mentioned to the court that the witnesses had not showed up for previous dates either.

The accused then replied that, " sometimes you tell people to do things and they don't want to come,".

A total of 160 DVDs and 95 empty cases were reportedly confiscated on the day of the incident.