A DELIVERY driver accused of handling stolen vehicles told a jury he bought and sold cars as a sideline.

Adam Little, 34, said he bought between 100 and 200 cars a year and 'liked to make a few bob.'

Little added that he would usually look for the presence of a vehicle identification tag on a vehicle and then compare it against the log book. He went on: "If they don't match, it stops there."

Little, of Brunshaw Avenue, Burnley, and his father Maurice were originally said to have been running a car ringing racket from two Cliviger farms, Merrills Head and Calder Head. Maurice Little has denied nine allegations of handling stolen goods and three of obtaining money by deception.

Adam Little now faces four allegations of handling stolen goods, which he denies.

He began giving evidence as the trial entered its third week at Burnley Crown Court.

The defendant, also a former coal delivery man, said he had never lived at Merrills Head, belonging to his uncle, and had only lived at Calder Head, owned by his father, as a small boy.

Mining was carried out at Merrills Head until about 1997. His father ran the coal yard and up to 200 people would visit the premises each week. Calder Head was used mainly for maintenance of vehicles. Asked by his barrister if he could fully service a car, Little replied: "Yes, to some degree."

Adam Little said he would have at least four vehicles on the road at any one time and all except his van would be for sale.

He would get the three other vehicles from "anywhere" and the purpose of buying them was to make money. The vehicles were sold on from Merrills Head, which was used as a 'car showroom.'

Adam Little told the court he bought cars in good condition, although he would do minor repairs. Asked by his counsel, Mark Stuart, how much he was making, Adam Little said he was content with £50 or £100.

His father had been selling cars for 30 years, had a good name and people knew where they were. Sales came about mostly by word of mouth, but also advertising and by others "selling vehicles on."

(Proceeding).

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