A town centre pub has been hit with a maximum fine after showing football games without a licence.
Sammy Jacks bar on Front Street in Tynemouth was caught after illegally showing Sky programmes on the premises.
A case was brought against the pub, which is a converted church, by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact) - the trade organisation established to protect the film and broadcast industry - on behalf of Sky.
Licensee James Ridley Sample pleaded guilty by post to the dishonest reception of a television transmission. At North Tyneside Magistrates Court on June 2, Mr Sample was ordered to pay the television company £5,000 - the maximum fine for a single charge.
The court also ordered the licensee to pay £321 in costs for showing a Sky programme on the premises without the correct commercial viewing contract.
Sammy Jacks bar manager and licensee Gavin Bowmarker was also ordered to pay £750 in fines for showing the live televised match.
The prosecution, carried out by Fact, was part of an on-going campaign by Sky to crack down on landlords who show games without the correct licence.
There have already been 27 prosecutions and 50 further cases are pending. Fact operations director Jim Angell said: "We continue to pursue and prosecute those licensees who are fraudulently showing Sky programmes in their premises."
A Sky spokeswoman said: "The use of the maximum financial penalty in this case reflects how seriously the courts take this matter.
"We are committed to protecting the interests of our legitimate pub customers by undertaking a number of activities that ultimately can lead to the prosecution of premises who choose to enjoy the benefits of Sky without the proper commercial contract."
