Man bailed over illegal downloads

The arrest followed a two-year inquiry by music industry bodies

A Teesside man arrested in connection with a hugely-popular website providing music for illegal downloads has been released on police bail.

Officers questioned the 24-year-old on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and infringement of copyright after raiding a flat in Middlesbrough's Grange Road.

His arrest was part of an Interpol-led inquiry into the website OiNK, which was closed by police on Tuesday.

The home of the IT worker's father, in Greater Manchester, was also searched.

Officers seized computer equipment and documents from the Cheadle property, as well as from the 24-year-old's employer - a large multi-national company based on Teesside.

Raids were also carried out in Amsterdam, where the website's servers are based.

The arrest followed a two-year investigation by music industry bodies the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

The IFPI said the site had leaked 60 major pre-release albums this year alone.

Cleveland Police said the man had been released on bail while seized equipment was examined and further inquiries were carried out.