Image copyright Wales News Service Image caption (Left to right): Alan Godfrey, 66, Christopher Price, 68, Robert Pye, 66, and Stephen Russell, 66, all admitted trademark offences

Two men have been jailed and two others given suspended sentences for selling tens of thousands of counterfeit records.

Alan Godfrey, 66, Christopher Price, 68, Robert Pye, 66, and Stephen Russell, 66, distributed unlicensed singles by 1960s Northern Soul artists.

Newport Crown Court heard some records had spelling mistakes and mismatched labels.

Pye was jailed for 10 months, and Russell for eight months.

Godfrey was given a sentence of nine months and Price one of eight months, but both of these sentences were suspended.

Prosecutors said catching the gang took four years.

The British Phonographic Industry came across the operation after test purchases.

Image copyright Gems Image caption Unofficial copies were found of original recordings by Marvin Gaye (pictured), as well as Bettye Swann and Art Freeman

Prosecutor Alex Greenwood said: "In many instances identical copies of recordings were found at the addresses of each of the defendants, indicative that they were supplying each other.

"All defendants' PayPal records reflected thousands of sales of similarly described recordings over many years."

Analysis of bank accounts in Godfrey's name showed he made transfers of £101,518 to Pye, and his HSBC account contained credits of £77,957 from PayPal.

Godfrey's NatWest account also had Amazon credits worth £10,905 and PayPal credits totalling £152,254.

Image copyright British Phonographic Industry Image caption Some of the records had spelling mistakes

Image copyright British Phonographic Industry

Officers later seized 55,000 records worth an estimated £500,000.

Godfrey, of Bridgend, Russell, of Kidderminster, and Pye, of Ipswich, pleaded guilty to six counts of unauthorised use of a trademark.

Price, also of Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to two counts of unauthorised making of a copyright work, and three counts of unauthorised use of a trademark.

A Proceeds of Crime hearing will take place next year.