FELIXSTOWE: A man who sold stolen fishing tackle on eBay was caught out when the owner recognised some of the items and bought them, a court has heard.

Robert Baker, who owns a shop in Felixstowe, spent �500 buying back the items which had been put up for sale by 46-year-old Kevin Abbott, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Abbott, of Orford Road, Felixstowe, admitted handling stolen goods and was made the subject of an 18 month community order and was ordered to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work in the community.

Sentencing him, Judge Rupert Overbury said the total retail value of the goods handled by him was �1,500.

He said Abbott had pleaded guilty to handling the stolen items on the basis that he became aware they were stolen after receiving them.

“It’s not the case you set out deliberately to handle stolen goods or knew they were stolen as soon as you received them,” said the judge.

He said Abbott had been caught out when the owner of the goods saw them on eBay and bought them back.

Robert Sadd, prosecuting, said Mr Baker had become aware that stock had gone missing from his shop due to a burglary or a dishonest employee.

Craig Marchant, for Abbott, said he helped look after his sick mother and grandmother and had financial problems after splitting up with his partner of 22 years.

He said Abbott hadn’t known the items were stolen when he came into possession of them, but when he did find out he had gone ahead and sold them.