A “FAMILY man” who laundered more than £1m in counterfeit vinyl record sales has been spared jail.

Richard Hutter pocketed £1,247,222 selling fake LP vinyls of iconic rock artists to unsuspecting customers on his own website and eBay, a court heard.

The 55-year-old was snared when a customer reported him to Trading Standards after he refused to refund a “very poor sound quality” Queens of the Stone Age record.

His venture, involving his wife and son, Vinyl Groove UK, involved selling materials by artists including The Clash, Nirvana, and Guns ‘n’ Roses.

Bournemouth Echo: The office of Richard Hutter, showing vast collection of vinyl records.The office of Richard Hutter, showing vast collection of vinyl records. (Image: Dorset Council Trading Standards)

Bournemouth Crown Court heard that a customer bought a Queens of the Stone Age vinyl LP from Vinyl Groove UK for £35 but quickly doubted its authenticity.

When the customer was denied a refund from Hutter, they contacted Dorset Council Trading Standards.

Upon confirming the LP was not genuine, Trading Standards launched an investigation and purchased two records from Vinyl Groove UK via eBay. These records, of Nirvana and Guns ‘n’ Roses, were also proven to be counterfeit.

Officers attended Hutter’s address on July 20, 2018, and seized several records, as well as 40 cover sleeves.

He initially claimed he had no idea the vinyls were fake, however, soon took down his website and tried to hide evidence at his home address.

Bournemouth Echo:

Hutter, of Matchams Close in Ringwood, pleaded guilty to 14 offences - dating between 2012 and 2018 - and has been ordered to pay just over £373,000 in laundered money back.

During a sentencing on Tuesday, April 4, defence barrister Andrew Barkley described Hutter as a “man of previous good character” who had not reoffended since his initial arrest. 

Mr Barkley said: “He is remorseful for what has happened. It is a bitter pill for him to swallow as he put his family in jeopardy.”

An error in dealing with the case at Poole Magistrates’ Court, where Hutter pleaded guilty in December 2020, meant the case was severely delayed in reaching crown court.

Sentencing, Recorder Richard Tutt said: “In my judgement, this is a highly culpable offence. You involved others, namely your wife and one of your sons, and the offending took place over a significant period of time.

Bournemouth Echo: Richard Hutter with his vinyls in the background.Richard Hutter with his vinyls in the background. (Image: Dorset Council Trading Standards)

“[However], my sentencing powers are limited because of an oversight or error in magistrates court.”

Sentenced solely on a charge of money laundering – Hutter was given a four-month sentence, suspended for 24 months.

He must do 250 hours of unpaid work and is subject to a three-month electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 7am each day.

He must also pay £373,589.64 – the available amount recoverable from the more than £1m laundered.