A WOMAN who set up a sophisticated online business selling fake Louis Vuitton goods and other counterfeit designer labels told a court she is naive and did not know it was illegal.

Bolton magistrates heard that, over a two year period, around £70,000 passed through mum-of-two Jacqui Murgatroyd’s bank account, much of which was from sales from her Facebook site, House of Ivy.

In March investigators made two test purchases of sliders for £29.95 a pair from 41-year-old Murgatroyd which purported to be by Louis Vuitton and also a purse bearing the Louis Vuitton logo.

The genuine article retails at £350 but Murgatroyd, of Kingsbury Close, Bury, was offering her version for £42.95.

Murgatroyd pleaded guilty to three counts of selling counterfeit goods on March 11, 18 and 19 and possessing fake goods for sale between March 11 and 19.

Robert Levack, prosecuting, showed magistrates a video taken scrolling through Murgatroyd’s site, which showed items with labels such as Gucci, Chanel, Givenchy and Moschino being offered for sale.

“This is not the case of a one off sale of these items,” said Mr Levack. “This was an operation with a high degree of professionalism.”

Catherine O’Rourke, defending, said Murgatroyd, who has no previous convictions, is remorseful. She added that Murgatroyd did not store a large quantity of counterfeit items, only purchasing them when orders came in, profits were minimal and she also sold legitimate skincare and beauty products.

“The defendant was, unfortunately naive to the fact that selling of counterfeit items was an offence. She now deeply regrets the mistake that she made,” said Miss O’Rourke, who added the defendant has mental health difficulties.

Magistrates sentenced her to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, ordered her to participate in 15 days of rehabilitation activities and she must pay £1,500 towards prosecution costs and a £122 victim surcharge.

Chairman of the Bench, Lindsay Charidemou told her: “This was a very professional operation and it is clear that you would have profited from this organisation. There is some remorse from you but this does not detract from the fact that these are serious offences and that the court should impose a deterrent.”