Dishonest Letchworth bike dealer jailed
A ROGUE eBay trader who sold more than �23,000 of stolen bikes online was jailed on Friday.
Craig Majlath hawked dodgy motorbikes and pedal cycles on the internet shopping site in a bid to prove to his family he could be a successful businessman.
His company, Craig’s Bikes R Us, started to make huge sales but soon attracted the attention of police after reports that some of his goods were obtained illegally.
A search of his premises in Green Lane, Letchworth GC, revealed a stash of stolen pedal cycles, motor vehicles and dismantled parts being readied for sale.
Further investigation showed the 19-year-old was also involved in stealing the goods himself to help fund his dishonest venture between February and April.
Majlath, of Norton Way North, Letchworth GC, later pleaded guilty to one theft of a pedal cycle, two thefts of motorcycles, one charge of possessing criminal property and a single count of handling stolen goods.
He also asked for 22 other offences to be taken into account, which included one theft of a motor vehicle, three thefts of pedal cycles, five counts of possessing criminal property and 13 offences of converting criminal property.
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Judge Gareth Hawkesworth sentenced Majlath to a total of 25 months in a young offenders’ institution after it emerged he set up the business just four months after receiving a suspended sentence for assault.
“Activities of this sort mean we all have to pay higher insurance premiums,” Judge Hawkesworth said.
“I have much hope that, after this, you will lead an honest life.”
Cambridge Crown Court heard that Majlath could have made a legitimate living by working for the family business.
However, he wanted to prove to his family that he could be successful on his own.
Items in his possession including an �11,000 Mitsubishi, a Kawasaki motorcycle worth �4,500 and a Canondale MTB valued at �1,200.
“It wasn’t a question of him just coming into possession of these items,” Judge Hawkesworth added.
“He was actually responsible for stealing them.”
