Farmer attempted to sell defective lorry and stole number plates to make it look authentic

Police stopped Robert Billington, 45, of Llyndir Lane, Rossett, travelling towards Newtown from South Powys.

Billington had agreed to sell his lorry, which had defects, to people in Merthyr Tydfil and met them in Rhayader in the early hours on September 11.

At Welshpool Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Billington admitted handling stolen goods, driving without a licence and insurance, and obstructing a constable by giving a false name.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said at around 5am, North Wales Police informed their Dyfed-Powys colleagues of a suspected stolen lorry, with stolen number plates.

They had received reports of number plates being stolen from a vehicle at Kendley Limited.

The vehicle was reported as being in Llanymynech in the early hours of the morning.

It was then reported in Crossgates, near Llandrindod Wells, and was said to have been followed by a Mitsubishi vehicle.

That vehicle was said to have turned around and headed back towards Newtown, where it was stopped by police on Dolfor Road.

Police spoke to two men in the car, one giving his name as Jason Podmore, the other Phillip Pugh.

Mr Podmore said he had been lamping in Welshpool, however it was a wet morning and the occupants were not wet, there was no lamping equipment or dogs in the car.

They were both arrested, and it was later discovered Mr Podmore was in fact Billington, and had given a false name.

In his first interview, Billington maintained his story, however in his second interview he admitted he was not Mr Podmore.

He admitted it was his lorry but was not stolen, and it had no MOT and was not fit to be on the road.

He said he had agreed to sell it on to someone, and instructed two travellers to steal number plates for it, but refused to give the names of the pair.

He told police he did it in the morning so no one would know, but said he got caught.

He admitted the lamping story was made up, and admitted handling the stolen number plates.

Robert Hanratty, for Billington, said it was a foolish act and the farmer was trying to get rid of his lorry.

He added the stolen items were of "very low value."

Magistrates said he had "behaved very, very dishonestly" and handed him a 12 month community order.

Billington was ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work, pay a £400 fine, £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

He also had six penalty points imposed on his licence.