Pirate DJ's 'gissa job' plea

Yosser Hughes (Bernard Hill) - courtesy of British Film Institute

An unemployed disc jockey set up a pirate station in his bedroom in an attempt to expose his talents to radio managers, a court has been told.

David Holgate, 26, formed "New Skool FM" in a Glasgow tower block in the hope that he would be hired by independent radio.

His lawyer likened him to Yosser Hughes, a character in a 1980s TV drama series, whose "gissa job" catchphrase became synonymous with unemployment.

Holgate admitted breaching the Wireless and Telephony Act and was admonished.

However, his transmitter and £300 mixing decks were ordered to be seized. They will now be destroyed.

I am a determined guy and will keep plugging away as you never know what's round the corner David Holgate

Derick Williamson, for Holgate, told Glasgow Sheriff Court: "He was fed up being out of work and decided to buy equipment to set up and present his own radio show.

"It was akin to the desperate man from Boys from the Blackstuff who was always asking 'gissa job'.

"The accused thought the country's leading stations would listen in and might hand him his dream job."

Instead, a radio detection team tuned in during a crackdown on pirate broadcasts.

'Living a dream'

Temporary sheriff Ronnie Watson said: "I do not know what harm you are causing to anyone.

"With your guilty plea and the fact your equipment will be destroyed, I do believe you have been punished enough."

Outside court, Holgate, of Knightswood, Glasgow, said: "You could say I was living a dream for those three weeks, but my hopes were eventually dashed at that time.

The airwaves are managed by the Radio Communications Agency

"I could have been heavily fined. I have learned a lesson, so I will definitely not contemplate another radio station.

"But I am a determined guy and will keep plugging away as you never know what's round the corner."

The UK's radio airwaves are managed by the Radio Communications Agency.

Its website states: "Pirate radio is seen by some people as a bit of harmless fun and the actions of the Agency in taking enforcement action against stations heavy-handed and unnecessary.

"The truth is that participation in pirate radio is a criminal and anti-social activity and station operations are a menace to legal broadcasters and the public alike."