Bootlegger Mark Jenkins, jailed for a £1m CD pirating operation, told a court how a market trader armed with a gun branded him a "grass", writes Karen Rosine.

Jenkins, 34, said James McKay threatened him with a gun and accused him of tipping off trading standards officers about pirate CDs on his stall at Camden Market, in London.

Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday that McKay was raided twice by Oxfordshire officers. Jenkins, of Beaulieu Close, Banbury, was jailed for 15 months in January and ordered to pay £10,000 costs after admitting peddling pirate CDs from a warehouse in Botley Road, Oxford, in Britain's largest-ever operation. He was released from jail to attend the hearing.

The pair scuffled after McKay went to Jenkins's shop, 3DR, in Bridge Street, Banbury, last November.

After seeing the gun, Jenkins tried to call the police. McKay threatened to shoot him if he did not put the phone down, the court heard.

The next day, McKay returned to the shop. Jenkins was away but his girlfriend, Alison Baldwin, was there and McKay demanded money from her and made off with £200, the jury was told.

McKay, 48, of Islington, denies robbery, blackmail and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

McKay claims Jenkins made the whole story up to postpone his own sentencing.

The case continues.

Story date: Thursday 13 May

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