Northumbria student jailed for illegal download site

A former Northumbria student faces a 2 year and 8 month prison sentence after creating an illegal download website.

Kane Robinson, from North Shields, was creator of forum website ‘Dancing Jesus’ where music could be downloaded illegally, usually prior to the official release date.

A judge at Newcastle Crown court this week said pirating was often considered a “victimless crime” but Robinson’s actions may have cost the music industry more than £240 million.

The judge acknowledged the 26-year-old did not act alone in the running of the website as accomplice Richard Graham was also jailed.

More than 22,500 links to 250,000 individual titles were made available on Dancing Jesus between 2006 and 2011. The website was hunted by America’s Department of Homeland security, involving police forces on both sides of the Atlantic and the search ended at Robinson’s home earlier this year.

The former Northumbria University student created the website as a teenager in his bedroom. Family and friends stressed that Robinson made no profit from the Dancing Jesus site.

He admitted illegally distributing music and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Newcastle Crown Court.

Fallan Carter, friends with Kane Robinson, said:

“We’re all completely shocked and devastated, he doesn’t deserve it at all. We didn’t think for one second he would recieve this sentence.

“When he was arrested he held his hands up to what he’d done, but he started this when he was a teenager. It’s not what he’s been charged with that we cant get over, it’s how long he’s been sentenced. It’s unbelievable.”

An appeal is thought to be being made for the former student’s sentence. The trial continues.