The man, who also worked as a music reviewer, sold promotional album copies on eBay weeks before their release date and was arrested on suspicion of theft and money laundering.

It is believed that he used his position to obtain albums by the likes of Foals, Delays, Grand National and Kelly Rowland, which he then sold on illegally.

Police were assisted in their investigation by the IFPI and the BPI.

IFPI chairman and chief executive John Kennedy says, "Pre-release piracy ...