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A STUDENT has denied copying and illegally distributing games software belonging to entertainment giant Sony.

Jonathan Waring, who studies computer games programming at Teesside University, faced two charges at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

The 22-year-old of High Street, Redcar, will stand trial at Teesside Crown Court.

He faces a charge of causing a computer to perform a function to secure or enable unauthorised access to a programme or data in Middlesbrough between November 1 2011 and January 1 2012.

He faces another charge of distributing an article - namely a Sony Software Development Kit and PhyreEngine, infringing copyright to prejudice the owner.

He is alleged to have carried out the offence in Redcar between January 25 and January 30 last year.

He is accused of gaining unauthorised access to Sony Playstation software and distributing it on the internet.

The alleged offences are contrary to the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

The court heard that the charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

Waring pleaded not guilty to both charges at a previous hearing.

He appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court again yesterday where his case was committed to crown court.

Waring was granted unconditional bail.