A Chinese national has been sentenced to 20 days in prison for selling counterfeit and pornographic DVDs in shops and pubs on Bedford High Street.

Ming Xing Chen, of no fixed abode, appeared at Bedford Magistrates Court last Friday in a case brought by Bedfordshire County Council's Trading Standards Service.

The failed asylum seeker was found guilty under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Video Recordings Act 1984.

The court was told that Chen would approach people and hold up his hand, which had the letters DVD written on it.

When arrested, Chen was found to be in possession of 182 DVDs, including fake copies of some of the latest cinema releases and hard core pornography.

Coun Bob King, Bedfordshire County Council Cabinet member for Community Services, said: "Mr Chen's tactics in trying to sell these DVDs were very underhand. It is unacceptable that Bedfordshire's residents should be approached and asked to purchase counterfeit DVDs and DVDs that contain hard core pornography.

"In passing a prison sentence on this man, the courts have demonstrated how seriously they view such offences. Bedfordshire County Council's trading standards officers will continue to tackle this problem head on and will bring offenders before the courts when necessary."

The District Judge told Chen the offences were so serious that only a prison sentence was justified. He also ordered seizure of the DVDs, Chen's mobile phone and £74.30 that was in his possession at the time of his arrest.