Manchester man convicted of illegal TV operation

A man has been jailed for four years and six months for advertising and selling specially configured STBs. These devices allowed illegal access to subscription services from Sky, BT and Virgin Media, as well as thousands of on-demand movies and pay-per-view content. In addition, Michael Hornung, from Hyde, Greater Manchester, was given a 12-week prison sentence for breaching the Bail Act, bringing his total sentence to four years and nine months.

Hornung appeared before Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court after his successful extradition from Cyprus. He was previously sentenced in June 2022, but the sentence was handed down in his absence as he fled the UK to avoid jail and lived in Northern Cyprus to avoid extradition to the UK.

On 2 June, Hornung was arrested in Cyprus by Cypriot authorities following a collaborative effort between FACT and the National Crime Agency (NCA). The NCA facilitated arrangements for his extradition and, following an in-country extradition hearing, Hornung agreed to return to the UK.

FACT began investigating Hornung in April 2014 after intelligence revealed that he had supplied set-top boxes that allowed unauthorized access to subscription television content. With assistance from Greater Manchester Police, FACT identified Hornung as the operator behind ‘NoHatsNoTrainers’, trading on the CS World online platform.

Operation Hornung ran from 2014 to 2017, resulting in a potential loss of £2 million to broadcasters and rights holders and generating fraudulent income of around £350,000.

In addition to his sentence, in September 2022 Hornung was ordered to pay £258,642 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (PoCA). He was given three months to comply with the order or face a further three years in prison. The court adjourned the additional sentence, which will be addressed at a future hearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.

FACT CEO Kieron Sharp commented: “The collaborative efforts of FACT, the National Crime Agency and Greater Manchester Police were instrumental in bringing Michael Hornung to justice. We would especially like to thank the NCA for facilitating Hornung’s extradition to the UK. Hornung’s criminal enterprise provided customers with the means to access premium television without compensating broadcasters or intellectual property rights holders. This belief underlines our commitment to combating fraud and piracy at all levels and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. The extradition of Michael Hornung serves as a reminder that no one is above the law. FACT will be relentless in our pursuit of individuals profiting from illegal activities, regardless of where they seek refuge.”

Tom Dowdall, international assistant director at the NCA, added: “Hornung believed that by fleeing abroad it would mean he would never have to face up to his crimes. However, the NCA’s international network regularly shares information and works closely with overseas partners to apprehend those on the run. After liaising with law enforcement in Cyprus, Hornung was returned to the UK to serve his sentence.”

FACT works with sports rights holders, broadcast partners and others in the industry to investigate and prosecute illegal streaming providers, other IP offenses and those who access illegal content.