Enderby EYE

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37yr old Enderby woman in eBay scam

15 February 2010

A 37yr old Enderby woman and two other people have appeared at Leicester Crown Court after taking part in a scam involving thousands of pounds worth of goods stolen from a warehouse and subsequently sold on the eBay online store.

Local media is reporting how security staff at a distribution centre in Magna Park, Lutterworth, became suspicious when Disney items were found to be going missing - and an investigation revealed the items were being sold on the online marketplace eBay.

The court heard that following discovery of items on the website, a number of 'test purchases' were made.

37yr old Nicola Yarker of Leicester Road, Enderby, was the holder of the eBay account.

She claimed she had bought toys and clothing items from someone called Martin who lived in Coventry.

The man was subsequently identified as Martin Hitchiner, a former employee at the distribution centre.

Another former employee of the distribution centre, 36-year-old Thorpe Astley resident, Christopher Elton, collected the stolen stock from Hitchiner and passed it on to Yarker.

James Varley, prosecuting, told the court that approximately £14,000 of items were involved.

Yarker and Elton admitted transferring criminal property, between January and September 2008.

Hitchiner admitted to theft between the same dates and was given a nine-month jail term, suspended for two years, and instructed to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Elton received a 6 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, plus a 3am to 11.30am curfew.

Yarker was given a year-long community order and instructed to complete 60 hours of unpaid work.

A proceeds of crime hearing is scheduled for April 23rd when it will be decided how much they must pay back.

Associated links

» Leicester Mercury

» Leicester Constabulary

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37yr old Enderby woman in eBay scam