Conman's online scam funded habit

The judge said eBay trading depended on good will and integrity

A conman who funded a £700-a-week cocaine habit by selling fictitious goods on internet auction site eBay has been given nine months' youth custody.

Mold Crown Court heard how Timothy Franklyn, 20, of Denbigh, raised £13,000 for his habit after offering fake £1,000 holiday vouchers for sale.

He admitted eight deception charges and asked for 13 others to be considered.

Tony Rose, defending, said his client had kicked the addiction which had led him to misuse his talents.

The court heard Franklyn continued his online scams even after he had been interviewed by North Wales Police detectives.

The prosecution described how he used a variety of names to sell items which did not exist, including sports tickets and an X-box game.

Trading on eBay is dependent upon the good will and integrity of vendor and purchaser - it is open to abuse and you abused it Judge John Rogers QC

He e-mailed successful purchasers and arranged for payments to be made into his bank account.

On other occasions he contacted bidders who had not been successful and sold the non-existent items to them as well.

Judge John Rogers QC also sentenced Franklyn to an extra month in youth custody for failing to answer his bail at his local police station on one occasion.

He said: "You auctioned holiday vouchers on eBay which did not exist.

"Purchasers thought that they were going to be provided with holiday travel and accommodation.

"Instead, they simply lost their money which in most cases amounted to about £1,000 each.

He contacted unsuccessful bidders and sold them non-existent goods

"Even after you had been arrested and interviewed by the police, you continued to obtain money by this cruel deception.

"Trading on eBay is dependent upon the good will and integrity of vendor and purchaser. It is open to abuse and you abused it."

Franklyn faces a proceeds-of-crime order for £13,163 when he is released.

Mr Rose said his client's cocaine habit had been responsible for his "criminal persistence" when he had come under the wrong influence.

He said: "He got to know some people and through them this scam was hatched. Through these people, he also acquired the cocaine habit."

He added that Franklyn now hoped to remain drug free.