Autograph conmen jailed

Apr 3 2008 By Graeme Whitfield

Two conmen who forged and sold the autographs of some of Britain’s biggest sports stars - including Michael Owen and Jonny Wilkinson - were jailed today.

Graeme Walker, 45, was sentenced to 30 months by Judge David Hale at Chester Crown Court, and his supplier, Faisal Madani, was given a nine month term.

The pair were convicted yesterday of 70 counts of cheating the customers of Walker’s shop, Sporting Icons, which sold sporting memorabilia, after footballers Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Ian Rush gave evidence for the prosecution.