A LABOURER stole a mountain bike that had been left unattended as part of a police sting, a court was told.
Oliver Verrill found the bike, worth £200, unattended outside Parkgate car park, in Darlington, prosecutor John Garside told Darlington Magistrates’ Court.
Mr Garside side: “The police own the bike and left it for someone to take on October 2.
“The defendant has been seen loitering next to the bike and ridden away at speed.”
Police arrested 21-year-old Verrill and recovered the bike within the hour, said Mr Garside.
The prosecutor said Verill told officers ‘I am gutted, what a stupid thing to nick’ after being arrested.
Sonny Lawson, for Verrill, said the case arose out of a police sting and an earlier hearing had been adjourned while the legality of the police operation was verified.
He said: “This was an opportunistic offence, the bike was left out in the hope that someone would take it.”
Verrill, of Bedford Street, Darlington, was fined £133, with £100 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
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