eBay fraudster jailed

A Herefordshire man has been jailed for eight months for fraudulent trading. David Hammond had advertised electronic equipment on eBay without having the stock to supply his customers. He had previously been banned from the site, but had recruited a customer to sell on his behalf. The prosecutor said that "he refused to speak to customers and encouraged his secretary to fob customers off. He buried his head in the sand and adopted a cavalier approach."

The offenses were committed in 2002 and 2003. Hammond's defence said that he had "turned his life around" since, now having a job where he was valued. He has offered to pay compensation to his customers.

But Judge David Matthews said that Hammond had abused his customers' trust, and his actions had "a knock-on effect for internet trading, which is now an important part of the economy".