A CABLE TV bootlegger who gave viewers the chance to view programmes for free has been jailed after being caught advertising home-made computer chips over the Internet.

The case has been hailed as a major triumph by broadcasting watchdogs, after it was revealed that East Lancashire builder David Whittaker could have cheated cable companies out of £52,000 a year if he had not been stopped from trying to sell the chips across the county and further afield.

Burnley Crown Court was told that father-to-be Whittaker, 35, set up a commercial and sophisticated enterprise using his skill and knowledge in computers and electronics. He was jailed for five months yesterday after admitting conspiracy to defraud.

After the case, David Lowe, the director of Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) said Whittaker's jailing was a major triumph.

"This sends out very strong signals that people who do this will be dealt with very, very severely," he said. "Obviously we are pleased with this result and it is a clear indication that the courts take this crime very seriously."

Mr Lowe added that people like Whittaker defraud the broadcast companies and the cable channel providers and estimated that every device Whittaker sold cost the relevant company in the region of £360 per year. Judge Raymond Bennett said Whittaker, of Hallam Crescent, Nelson, had acted illegally, involving selling devices to people with dishonest minds and what he had done was very much on a par with 'bootlegging,' when people evaded paying duty on goods.

Richard Mullan, prosecuting for the Federation Against Copyright Theft, said Whittaker conspired with others unknown to defraud the Cable TV service providers by obtaining services without the payment of about £14.50 a month.

He said Whittaker was involved in the design, manufacture and distribution of computer chips which, when attached to the relevant Cable TV hardware, in the set top box, allowed people free programmes. He also took part in advertising them for sale.

He said information was supplied to the Federation by an organisation which monitored the Internet for evidence of activity in breach of broadcasting laws.

An advert had been placed in a news group headed Test Chips for Free. There was a phone number associated with the defendant plus an e-mail address, but he had arranged for post to go care of a neighbour to make it more difficult to track him down.

The prosecution said the advert provided a discount for bulk buying, showing the defendant intended to sell on a large scale.

An investigator met with Whittaker last June outside the Thatch and Thistle pub in Barrowford and bought 32 chips for £500.

Police went along to the next meeting and arrested him. A large amount of computer-related material was found when Whittaker's house was searched.

Anthony Cross, defending, said that Whittaker used information available on the Internet to commit the offence. He said the suggestion the defendant was a man skilled in computers and electronics and was at the forefront in the creation of the chips was without foundation.

He said Whittaker had been knocking out chips in ones and twos to people who did not want to pay the £14.40 to 'Mr Murdoch.'