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Autograph fraudsters found guilty Autograph fraudsters found guilty
(20 minutes later)
Two business partners accused of cheating their customers by forging and selling sports stars' signatures were found guilty at Chester Crown Court. Two business partners have been found guilty of cheating their customers by forging and selling the signatures of sports stars.
Faisal Madani, 43, from Cheshire, and Graeme Walker, 45, of Flintshire, had denied the charges under the Trades Descriptions Act.Faisal Madani, 43, from Cheshire, and Graeme Walker, 45, of Flintshire, had denied the charges under the Trades Descriptions Act.
The court heard the pair faked autographs of sports stars including Pele, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard. Chester Crown Court heard the pair faked autographs of stars including Pele, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.
The memorabilia was then sold at the Sporting Icons shop in Chester.The memorabilia was then sold at the Sporting Icons shop in Chester.
Madani, of Grange Road in Bramhall, Cheshire, and Walker, of Connah's Quay, Flintshire, already have convictions for dishonesty and trademark offences and now face potential jail terms.Madani, of Grange Road in Bramhall, Cheshire, and Walker, of Connah's Quay, Flintshire, already have convictions for dishonesty and trademark offences and now face potential jail terms.
Mr Walker's barrister told the jury at Chester Crown Court that Mr Madani was guilty of an "outrageous fraud".Mr Walker's barrister told the jury at Chester Crown Court that Mr Madani was guilty of an "outrageous fraud".
But Mr Madani's barrister insisted he had not supplied the bogus signatures.But Mr Madani's barrister insisted he had not supplied the bogus signatures.
Mr Walker's barrister, Paul Lawton, told the court that since 1996, during a meeting with a Coutts bank manager, Mr Madani had been passing himself off as the brother of ex-Manchester United director Armer Mouffac Al Midani.Mr Walker's barrister, Paul Lawton, told the court that since 1996, during a meeting with a Coutts bank manager, Mr Madani had been passing himself off as the brother of ex-Manchester United director Armer Mouffac Al Midani.
He said Mr Madani had "duped" his client by providing false merchandise in the form of shirts, photographs and other items.He said Mr Madani had "duped" his client by providing false merchandise in the form of shirts, photographs and other items.