A MAN who sold a stolen bike to undercover cops has been given a curfew.

Robert Venning, 21, met covert police during an operation targeting drug dealers and people trading in stolen goods.

He later messaged one of the officers saying he had more things to sell. He met the police in Clacton on October 8 and sold them a mountain bike for £40, before being arrested.

Venning, of Hordle Street, Dovercourt, admitted handling stolen goods at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

The bike was traced back to its owner who had bought it for £100.

Ralph Piggott, mitigating, said Venning was a full-time unpaid carer for his mother, who had lung cancer, and his offending had reduced since moving out of the Clacton area.

Mr Piggott said Venning had been attending probation appointments and completed 12.5 hours of unapid work for a previous crime.

District judge John Woollard gave Venning a two-month curfew. He will also be electronically tagged and must pay £110 costs.