Jail terms for fake vodka producers

Five men who masterminded a major counterfeit vodka manufacturing and bottling plant have been sentenced to a total of 17 years and ten months in prison.

A sixth man will be sentenced a week on Monday.

The plot was uncovered in an unregulated and fire hazardous industrial unit by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) when raids were carried out in September 2009.

They seized 9,000 bottles of fake vodka, branded as Glen’s, manufacturing equipment, bottles and counterfeit packaging – labels and cardboard boxes - at the remote industrial unit at Moscow Farm near Great Dalby, Leicestershire.

Kevin Eddishaw, 53, of Handford Court, Southwell, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cheat the revenue after the jury was sworn in and was sentenced to seven years in prison at Hull Crown Court last week.

Eddishaw, the court heard, was the principal gang member who masterminded the plot.

John Mark Humphreys, 46, of Main Street, Upton, was found guilty of the same charge and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Humphreys was Eddishaw’s right hand man and lieutenant in the plot.

James Fyfe, 51, of Furlong Avenue, Arnold, the site forum at Moscow Farm, pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to sixteen months in prison.

Mark Timothy Gyles, 48, of Belleville Drive, Nottingham, a driver and transporter of the vodka, was found guilty of conspiring to cheat the revenue and was sentenced to 12 months suspended for twelve months. He must also carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

Michael James Matthews, 56, of Stanley Grove, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, a printer who procured supplies of counterfeit labels and boxes, was found guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

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