A SERIAL handler of stolen goods who put his hauls on eBay was bound to be rumbled because he used his mother's name on the website, a court heard.

Burnley Crown Court was told how the police trail led to Martin Rolfe's mother's home in Belfast, where a bicycle, stolen in the Burnley area, was found, as well as the defendant.

At the time Rolfe was on a suspended sentence for handling stolen hauls which were also advertised on eBay.

The defendant, 26, who has more than 70 prev-ious convictions, including many offences of dishonesty, ran out of chances when a judge activated some of the suspended term and gave him more prison on top.

The defendant, of Howsin Street, Burnley, was sent to custody for a total of 50 weeks.

He admitted fraud and handling stolen goods, in breach of the suspended sentence.

Silvia Dacre, prosecuting, told the court last September Christopher Lane left his mountain bike in his car overnight.

The vehicle was broken into and the cycle, together with a saddle bag and a York-shire Bank card were taken.

In the early hours the card was used for almost £1, 000.

The bike appeared for sale on eBay and was said to be being sold by Rolfe's mother in Belfast.

Miss Dacre said Rolfe denied any involvement in theft and claimed somebody had taken the cycle over to Belfast. He denied using the card.

The defendant, who had 72 previous convictions, had earlier been given 40 weeks in jail, suspended for two years for handling stolen goods which then appeared on eBay.

David Robinson, for Rolfe, said “These were wholly unsophisticated offences.

"He used his mother's name on eBay and an email with links to him. He was bound to be caught.”