JOBLESS James Dunford, who stole a neighbour's motorcycle while he was repairing it, sold it out of panic to pay off debts a court heard.

Dunford, formerly of Ham Close, Collingbourne Kingston, but now living in Winchester Road, Andover, pleaded guilty to stealing a Yamaha motorcycle from John Cartledge between July 1 and September 17 last year.

On April 22 Kennet Magistrates Court in Devizes heard that Dunford, 21, had the consent of Mr Cartledge, who lives in Collingbourne Kingston, to repair his motorcycle.

Mr Cartledge received a letter from DVLA last September telling him someone else had applied for ownership of the motorcycle.

The police were called and they found that Dunford had sold the motorcycle to a friend, Edward Bull, for £100.

Kate Brown, prosecuting, told the court Mr Bull said he had spent £200 on improving the bike.

Mike Redpath, defending, said: "Mr Dunford took on the bike in order to do it up. He was not in employment and he had no money. He was getting into arrears on paying instalments for his own motorcycle and so in a panic he sold Mr Cartledge's motorcycle for £100."

The magistrates ordered him to pay £300 compensation to Mr Bull and £60 towards prosecution costs.

They ordered that the money be added to a £135 fine that was imposed in December 1999 for motoring offences.

Mr Cartledge now has the motorcyle.