United and Liverpool stars 'victims' of fakers
NEWCASTLE'S Michael Owen is expected to give evidence at the trial of two men accused of selling fake autographed sports memorabilia.
He is one of a host of stars, including Liverpool footballers Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard and Newcastle Falcons rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, set to appear as prosecution witnesses.
Graeme Walker, 45, owner of Chester-based Sporting Icons, and his former business partner, Faisal Madani, 42, face 74 charges under the Trade Descriptions Act.
The pair are accused of selling a variety of sporting memorabilia items, including shirts and photographs, bearing faked autographs.
Walker, of Mountain View Close, Connah's Quay, Deeside, and Madani, of Grange Road, Stockport, Greater Manchester, deny the charges.
Judge David Hale at Chester Crown Court selected a jury panel of 18 people, who were also told to expect Owen and former Liverpool players Ian Rush and Brian Hall to appear in the witness box.
Final jury selection will take place today, and the trial, which is expected to last six weeks, is due to begin tomorrow.
- Newcastle target Barnetta to quit Bayer Leverkusen
- Transfer Rumours update May 22: Sunderland, Newcastle United, Liverpool, West Ham United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and QPR.
- Amalfitano flies into Toon to seal Newcastle deal
- Cats ready to Hammer out McCartney deal
- Teacher died hours after hospital sent her home
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
