A MAN charged with handling stolen goods has been given a 12 month community order.
Richard Fern, of Raglan Street, pleaded guilty at Worcester Magistrates Court last Friday (February 13), for attempting to sell £240 worth of LED bike lights which had been taken from the OnBike shop on Upper Tything, in a burglary.
Fern was arrested on January 8 when two stores reported him to officers following a police warning to alert them if anyone went in with items matching those stolen.
When interviewed Fern said he was at a party when someone offered him the products.
Prosecuting solicitor Adrian Jones said: “He haggled to £30 knowing he could sell them for £100 and knowing they were not legal and were stolen.”
Defence solicitor PaulStanley, said the defendant wanted to cash the items in so he could buy back some of his own posessions, including a watch, which he had pawned for his alcohol habit.
Mr Stanley added there was a long gap in his offending and he regretted what he had done.
District Judge French said he recognised the crimes were in relation to alcohol and added the defendant had ‘fallen off the wagon’.
A 12 month supervision was added to the community order along with a year long alcohol treatment programme.
Fern was also told to pay £145 for court costs and a victim surcharge.
“I’m hopeful this will help you and if you do re-offend it is likely it will result in you being sent away,” he added.
