A WOMAN made and sold pirate DVDs and computer games to order to help meet growing debts, a court heard.

But despite the presence of a large number of discs and computer equipment for copying mainstream films and games at her home, Gail Lawes was said to have made only £50 a week from her activities.

Durham Crown Court was told police raided the premises, in Cleveland Terrace, Stanley, in October, last year, and found two computer systems, a DVD re-writer, sealed envelopes bearing delivery addresses containing copied DVDs, plus numerous DVDs and games.

Documents and order forms from prospective buyers, relating to transactions from internet auction site, eBay, were also discovered.

Lawes' partner, who was present, was arrested and computer equipment was seized.

Jenny Haigh, prosecuting, said when Lawes returned home later, she declared: "This is my house and things in this house are mine." She was also arrested.

The items included 1,219 DVDs, 78 audio DVDs, 26 software discs, 157 X-Box computer games, ten blank CDs and 63 inlay cards.

Examination revealed that of the 122 titles, including multiple copies of various popular films, 96 infringed copyright regulations, and eBay documentation indicated a number of transactions had taken place.

Miss Haigh said when eBay was told of the dealing in counterfeit items, Lawes' account was terminated.

Lawes, of previous good character, admitted seven charges relating to either possession, distribution or making items for sale or hire, inferring copyright.

Joe Hedworth, mitigating, said: "The reality is that the quantity of DVDs we're talking about here is approximately 50 or 60, not 1,200, and they were only for sale on eBay, not for car boot sales.

"Given these figures, she was earning more like £50 a week. She was in a terrible mess with debt, with three children to look after."

Judge George Moorhouse said the evidence appeared to show she was working for a third party.

He said probation reports classed her as a low risk of re-offending and, therefore, he imposed a 12-month community supervision order.

The judge, who also ordered confiscation of the recovered material, said: "This was a silly mistake, getting involved in this type of behaviour. Don't repeat it.