When police were called to a “domestic incident” at Colwyn Bay they unwittingly discovered scores of illegal satellite tv boxes – and a £105,000 scam.

A man and woman made the cash after setting up an illegal business selling pre-configured satellite boxes at £100-a-time so viewers could watch pay-per-view TV, including soccer, free of charge.

Michael Jarman, aged 37, also known as Wilde, of Cae Cannau, Machynlleth, who had previous convictions for deception, was jailed for 21 months at Caernarfon crown court and his ex-partner Natalie Forber, 36, of Park Road, Colwyn Bay, got 16 months which was suspended for two years.

The mother-of-two must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work with a 15-day rehabilitation requirement.

Judge Niclas Parry said it was a business which had “involved advertising, marketing, customer services and distribution”.

He was told that it was mainly conducted openly on social media including Facebook.

The pair pleaded guilty to participating in a fraudulent business and money laundering, in a case brought by Conwy council’s trading standards department.

There will now be a Proceeds of Crime hearing.

Prosecuting, David Birrell said the scam, which lasted two years, came to light in January 2015 when police attended a domestic disturbance at Forber’s home and discovered a large number of devices.

The couple operated as North West Sky - “which had no connection with BSkyB"– and advertised on social media. They accepted orders, obtained the devices from another source online, then programmed them to access subscription tv channels. “They must have sold about a thousand boxes,” he added. The couple had a volatile relationship, as evidenced by the call to police in January 2015. Forber had given up her job and was involved in programming the devices.

Matthew Curtis, defending Jarman, said he accepted that prison would be the outcome. However he now hoped to change his ways. In his spare time he maintained cycling tracks in the Dyfi Forest and was a committee member of a village soccer club, Corris United FC.

Defending Forber, who wept throughout the hearing, John Oliver said she was ashamed and remorseful. Once she was arrested she broke up her relationship with Jarman.

Judge Parry commented: “The business was particularly lucrative.” He rejected any suggestion that Forber was acting under duress, and described her as being “pro-active and assertive.” Their actions could affect genuine businesses and jobs, declared the judge.

After the case Cllr Mark Baker said on behalf of Conwy council: “Rogue businesses who offer illegal services and fake goods can have a devastating impact on legitimate local businesses.”