A CHINESE illegal immigrant was caught selling copied DVDs and pornographic films.

She asked customers of Trade Glass Supplies in Lythgoes Lanes, Orford, if they wanted some of the 191 DVDs she had in a holdall.

But one of the shoppers was an off duty policeman and she was arrested on the spot. A man with her escaped.

Li Dai, from Underley Street in Liverpool, appeared before Warrington Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to attempting to sell counterfeit DVDs, goods bearing a false trademark and classified videos.

She had spent 15 days in prison since her arrest, spoke no English except for phrases she had been coached to say and only entered the country in May. She spent the hearing with her head bowed, talking to a Mandarin translator.

Her defence solicitor, John Morris, told the court: "She has obviously been put up to this by other persons and is a mere pawn in some other illegal enterprise."

Immigration papers have been served on the woman but Mr Morris said the Chinese Government does not accept the return of citizens who leave illegally - so the Home Office would allow her to apply to stay.

She was fined £3,000 by the court but could not pay, so the 15-day jail term was accepted as punishment and she was free to leave at the end of the day.

sbailey@guardiangrp.co.uk