Simon Hannigan, a TikTok influencer with over half a million followers, has been spared jail after illegally streaming Sky TV to thousands via Facebook. Known for his cooking videos on his 'dad the dish' account, Hannigan used Facebook groups as a platform to distribute illegal streaming links. A court heard that a Sky-led investigation uncovered Hannigan's operation, which provided access to more than 3,500 channels. One of his Facebook groups, simply named 'Simon', had 4,775 members and operated by selling subscriptions for streaming television, films, sports, and music through an Android app. Hannigan had previously boasted about his success in text messages, stating that "business was booming" and that his phone was "blowing up". He even offered special deals to those who assisted him in the operation, according to reports. Following his arrest on March 23, 2022, Hannigan admitted to distributing the links but denied breaching copyright laws, claiming he was not in control of the system. The operation was linked to a 'mother system' based in Europe, which served 50 million users worldwide. Hannigan charged customers £50 a year or £28 for six months for his services. A financial investigation revealed that he received 2,644 payments under the reference "paid adverts", totalling £151,112. Including other transfers, the total amount reached at least £152,000, which Hannigan acknowledged. The 35-year-old, described as a "proud family man", claimed he was merely a "downstream middle man" in the operation. During court proceedings, it was revealed that he had turned to this business after facing personal hardships, including a burst appendix and the end of a relationship. After his arrest, Hannigan expressed relief that the stress of the operation was over, stating it had been "very difficult" for him. Since then, he has reportedly turned his life around by launching a new business, 'Munchieboxuk', which supports local takeaways by offering their food at lower delivery fees. Hannigan has also been active on social media, sharing budget-friendly recipes through his Dadthedish accounts. He has proposed to assist Sky News and the British Copyright Council in preventing others from engaging in similar illegal activities. At Preston Crown Court on November 7, Hannigan pleaded guilty to participating in fraudulent business as a sole trader, concealing and transferring criminal property, and providing a service contrary to copyright laws. He received a two-year sentence, suspended for 24 months, and was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work.