A MOTOR dealer has left a student ‘out of pocket’ after selling him a stolen car.

Preston Crown Court heard Scott Byrne, from Bolton, had acquired an Audi A4 in Accrington in May last year after it had been stolen during a house burglary in Stoke.

The vehicle’s number plates had been scratched off the bonnet and the blue paint had been scraped off the car, the court heard.

After Byrne, who has been a motor trader for 13 years, acquired the vehicle on May 30, 2017, he asked one of his employees to advertise the car on a website rather than officially through his company.

The court heard that a student, Mr Mohammed Arshad, offered to buy the Audi in part-exchange for his own car, a white VW Polo.

The student met the 31-year-old car dealer on May 31 last year and the Audi was exchanged for the student’s Polo and £7,265.

After buying the vehicle, Mr Arshad took the car home and showed it to his family friend who knew straight away that something ‘was not right’ with the vehicle.

Mr Arshad contacted the police and the vehicle was seized by officers, who confirmed the vehicle was stolen.

In a victim personal statement, Mr Arshad said: “It was my entire life savings. I have no car to travel to college and it’s not an exaggeration to say it’s left me penniless and affected my job prospects. They have stolen my money, my car and my freedom.”

Prosecutor Sarah Gruffydd said: “Someone with Byrne’s experience would have known it was a stolen vehicle. He has elicited the help of one of his employees to sell it rather than the official motor trade business. He is a car dealer and you would expect the cars sold from him to be legitimate.”

Defence barrister Michael Blakey said his client was ‘appalled’ by his actions and apologised.

He said: “Mr Byrne is appalled at his behaviour.

“In the last few years he has been challenging his energy and looking after family and business. The future looked rosy and he feels he has let himself down and the family because of the situation he finds himself in.”

Judge Andrew Jefferies said: “A student has ended up with no car because he bought one from you which turned out to be stolen.

“This young man trusted you because you come across as someone who is knowledge about cars but in my judgement you have been dishonest.”

Byrne, of Sandalwood, Westhoughton, was given a 14-month suspended sentence and has to undertake 120 hours of unpaid work.

He also has to pay Mr Arshad £7,265 within the next six months.