A PUB landlady has been ordered to pay more than £4,000 after illegally screening sports matches.

Linda Ann Webber admitted showing Sky Sports programmes to customers at the Nags Head, in Heath Road, Ramsden Heath, near Billericay, without a commerical viewing licence.

She pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonest reception of a television transmission at Basildon Magistrates’ Court. The offences relate to Sky Sports football games screened at the pub, and Webber was ordered to pay a total of £4,320 in fines and costs.

The Federation Against Copyright Theft carried out the successful prosecution on behalf of Sky.

Stephen Gerrard, prosecuting manager for the federation, said: “Our aim is to help create an effective deterrent to publicans who endeavour to fraudulently show Sky content on their premises.

"As numerous cases have shown, we successfully pursue and prosecute dishonest licensees who are then faced with substantial fines, costs and a criminal record.”

The maximum fine which can he handed out is £5,000 for each illegal screening.

Alsion Dolan, deputy managing director at Sky Business, said: “This case demonstrates the seriousness of the issue as courts continue to deliver considerable penalties to licensees who televise Sky content illegally.”