STRATTON’S New Inn is one of four pubs across England fined for illegally broadcasting Premier League matches.

As part of a concerted effort to crack down on copyright breaches, the highest tier of English football has been pursuing establishments through the courts for compensation.

On Thursday the Arkell’s Brewery-owned New Inn became one of the latest stung with a £7,000 fine, and advised to be more careful with its broadcast supplier.

The other three pubs ordered by the High Court to each pay the Premier League costs for breaching copyright by making unauthorised broadcasts of Premier League matches are The Linley Tavern in Stoke, ordered to pay the Premier League £6,292, The Huntsman in Rochester, now out of pocket by £8,120, and The Happy Wanderer in Durham, hit with the largest fine – £8,721.

The fines follow a Premier League announcement earlier this month that Manchester pub the Red Beret had been ordered by the High Court to pay costs of more than £8,000 for breaching copyright through unauthorised broadcasts of matches.

The league earns £1.83bn a season from Sky, BT Sport and overseas TV rights.

A league spokesman said: “These actions are part of our largest ever pub and supplier investigations programme,”he said.

“We will continue to take action against commercial premises that breach our copyright by making unauthorised foreign broadcasts of Premier League football.

“Already this season we have conducted hundreds of pub visits and commenced action against dozens of publicans, with cost awards being made in our favour on a regular basis.

“Our messages to publicans are clear: ignore the lies peddled by suppliers who make false claims about the legality of foreign broadcasts.

“And broadcast Premier League football in your pubs the right way – via Sky Sports and BT Sport commercial agreements.”

Last year two pubs were ordered by the High Court to each pay a minimum of £65,000 to the Premier League in costs following persistent breaches of copyright by making unauthorised foreign broadcasts of matches.

A spokesman for Arkell’s Brewery said: “All Arkell’s managed houses, for which it has complete responsibility, only screen Premier League games through Sky or BT Sport.

“Arkell’s also advises its self-employed pub tenants to follow the same policy.”