Man avoids jail despite breaching suspended sentence with eBay scam

David Loran, of Watkin Street in Orford, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to acquiring criminal property.

It was heard that in August 2022, Loran posted a motorhome on eBay that he was selling for £14,000.

The 47-year-old was contacted by a man from Scotland, who expressed interest in the motorhome and wanted to buy it.

Loran told him that another potential buyer had also been in touch and offered to out down a £3,000 deposit.

Despite this, Loran told the victim that if he matched the offer, he would reserve the motorhome for him. The victim agreed to do so and transferred £3,000 to the 47-year-old on August 12.

Loran was sentenced at Chester Crown Court

It was heard that the victim said he would fly from Scotland to meet Loran and pay the remaining sum.

However, when the victim went to contact Loran, he found that he could not get in touch with him and that the motorhome, and the profile it was listed under, had been removed.

When both his bank and eBay would not refund the money to him, the victim contacted police in Scotland who traced the account to Loran.

At his appearance at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on August 21, it was heard that Loran committed the offence while on a suspended sentence after he grabbed his neighbour’s throat in 2020 and threatened ‘I’d have no problem in killing you’.

Loran, who has 14 previous convictions for 44 offences, was sentenced by Recorder Jeremy Lasker to 10 months imprisonment for the scam, suspended for two years.

He must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days and 200 hours unpaid work. The 47-year-old was also ordered to repay the £3,000 to the victim.