Man accused of selling forged celebrity signatures organised free holiday for Michael Owen

Faisal Madani, 43, organised the family trip in the summer of 2004 for the Newcastle forward and later asked him to provide some autographs, Owen said.

Today at Chester Crown Court the jury of nine women and three men heard that Madani of Stockport, Greater Manchester, was friends with many Premier League football players and attended last year's wedding of England centre-back John Terry.

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Giving evidence, Owen said he agreed to sign a few autographs for Mr Madani, a partner in the Sporting Icons store in Chester, but denied agreeing to supply scores of signatures.

Owen, 28, said, he did not know that Madani dealt in sporting memorabilia until he was contacted about the prosecution.

Under cross examination from Peter Davies, Madani's barrister, Owen said former Liverpool player and coach Phil Thompson talked to him about how helpful Madani could be.

Owen said: "When I first got introduced to Mr Madani, Phil Thompson said Mr Madani was from Dubai and knew lots of top people out there and if I wanted a holiday I am sure he knows the right people to get you in the right hotels.

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"And that they would be pleased to have you and you might not have to pay for it."

Owen, who played for Liverpool for eight years, said he did not know who paid for the 10-day holiday, but was told the hotel would be happy to have him for their publicity.

"Did Mr Madani expect anything in return for that?" asked Mr Davies.

"Just me going to stay in the hotels," said Owen.

"Had he asked for autographs thereafter you would have cooperated with him?" said Mr Davies.

"Yes, if it was one or two," said Owen. "If it was 50 I would have asked why."

"Yes, but you had a two week holiday in Dubai," said the barrister.

"Exactly."

Madani denies 20 counts of supplying forgeries.

Dressed in a smart grey suit, Owen said he was first introduced to Madani in 2003 at Liverpool's Melwood training ground.

He said, like other players, he was asked to sign things day in day out.

But Owen, capped 88 times for England, said he was sure several items presented to court featured a forgery of his signature.

They included 19 captain's armbands; a picture of him winning his 50th cap against Slovakia in June 2003; a photograph of him and Liverpool legend Ian Rush; and a picture of him celebrating another goal with Rio Ferdinand and David Beckham.

The court also heard from Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, 27.

It was alleged Gerrard met Madani during a meal in Manchester a few years ago and signed a photograph.

Mr Davies said Madani recalled the meeting because the super-fit player made a comment about his own arms.

Mr Davies said: "You didn't like the picture did you, because you said it showed cellulite in your arms."

Gerrard, wearing grey trousers, a blue jumper and open neck shirt, denied meeting Madani at the time.

The trial continues tomorrow.