Court battle worth £5m set over demo of The Beatles performing at Abbey Road

A COURT battle is set over a demo recording of The Beatles — thought to be worth around £5million.

The video shows the band performing for the first time at Abbey Road Studios.

It was discovered in the estate of the group’s ex-sound engineer Geoff Emerick, who died aged 72 in 2018.

The tape belonged to EMI — which was acquired by Universal Music Group in 2012.

Mr Emerick, who worked for EMI, said he was told to destroy the recording because it was not of good enough quality.

But he secretly kept it in its original box in a safe at his Los Angeles home.

A legal showdown between his family and Universal over who should have the tape is expected to begin in California on Tuesday.

A source said of the video from June 6, 1962: “It’s an amazing find.

"It’s been estimated at £5million but could be worth much more.”

It was filmed before Ringo Starr joined as drummer. Songs include Love Me Do.

Mr Emerick’s family argue they are entitled to keep it because of finder’s law.

Universal say the law does not apply because he had been told to destroy the recording.

The source added: “Despite wanting it destroyed, Universal all these years later want it back. They know how huge this find is."