A Bristol man who handled mobile phone goods stolen from a communications shop, including 40 worthless dummy phones, walked out of court with a community order.

Nicholas Bush was arrested after being caught with £2,500 worth of stock stolen from JAG Communications in Keynsham.

The 36-year-old, of Charlton Road, Bristol, told police he had been the "middle man" and planned to sell the goods.

He admitted one charge of handling stolen goods and was handed an 18-month community order with the requirement that he completes a Think First programme.

He was also ordered to carry out 80 hours of community work and was given a three-month curfew.

Pushpangali Gohil, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court, said the defendant was arrested on February 16 this year.

Amongst £2,500 worth of goods stolen were 40 dummy mobiles that were completely worthless.

"His response on arrest is that he was the middle man and was going to sell them to get some money," she said.

Oliver Willmott, defending Bush, who has previous convictions for 53 offences of dishonesty, had been addicted to drugs but stopped using in February and was now working.

Judge Carol Hagen said: "I am told you have given up class A drugs. I hope that's right because if it's not you know what the future holds. This offence is of some age, more than 12 months ago. Since then you have obtained employment and all that is encouraging."