4th September 1986 |
The former Captain of the Communicator appeared before Ipswich Magistrates to face charges under the Marine etc. Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967. He was found guilty and fined. |
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15th May 1987 |
Eight people appeared before Sittingbourne Magistrates Court charged under the Marine etc. Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 with a large number of offences relating to the Communicator and Radio Caroline’s ship, the Ross Revenge. The hearing was adjourned a number of times during the summer of 1987 and eventually seven of the nine cases were transferred to the Crown Court in November 1988. |
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18th November 1988 |
Seven people, including two DJs, appeared before Canterbury Crown Court charged with assisting the running of offshore stations Radio Caroline and Laser 558 in 1985. The trial lasted several days and all defendants were ultimately found guilty as charged and fined. They were given four months to pay their fines and warned that failure to do so would result in terms of imprisonment being imposed. All convicted defendants appealed against their sentences. |
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19th March 1990 |
The appeal hearing took place - |
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6th December 1985 |
An advertisement appeared in Broadcast magazine offering the MV Communicator for sale or lease for "legal re- |
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13th December 1985 |
The DTI suddenly announced that "surveillance of the pirate radio stations in the North Sea is to end." |
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13th December 1985 |
The Admiralty Court in London heard an application from one of Laser’s creditors, Paul Rusling, for the Communicator to be sold. The Court found in favour of Paul Rusling and ordered the vessel to be advertised for sale as soon as possible, unless in the meantime the company behind Laser managed to meet the claim. |
