A BLACKBURN motorist who spotted his car for sale on the internet eventually got his vehicle back in better condition than when it was stolen.

Blackburn magistrates heard the car had been entrusted to a mechanic to fix but he sold it on.

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And the buyer then did work on the vehicle before offering it up for sale through a Facebook site.

John Gallagher, 36, of Wavertree Avenue, Atherton, pleaded guilty to theft of a £400 Peugeot belonging to Ayaz Hussain. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months, fined £40 and ordered to pay £15 victim surcharge and £50 compensation.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Mr Hussain had bought the car at an auction and then gave it to Gallagher, who had previously done work for him, to fix. At some stage he handed over £50 to buy a gearbox and he was told it may take some time.

“He was later told his car was for sale on Facebook and when he contacted the vendor he said he had bought it off a friend,” said Mrs Mann. “The car was returned in much better condition than when it left the owner because the seller had done some repairs on it.”

Richard Prew, defending, said after discovering what had happened the aggrieved had driven Gallagher to the police station so he could confess.