A MAN had a stolen laptop in a carrier bag when police searched him in Skipton, magistrates heard.

Alerted to reports of a theft from a house in Greatwood Avenue on July 23 last year, officers came upon Vincent Hawkins and Simon McMinn walking along Pinhaw Road.

A search revealed the laptop, wrapped in clothing inside the bag, being carried by Hawkins, the court heard. It was returned to its rightful owner less than an hour after it was taken.

Hawkins, 39, denied handling stolen goods and said he thought the laptop belonged to McMinn, who he described as a 'whizz' with computers. He added he had been holding the bag at the time so McMinn could roll them both a cigarette.

But magistrates said Hawkins' account had been full of discrepancies, and they believed he knew the laptop was stolen. They added the arresting police officer had been clear in his evidence that neither men had been smoking at the time.

Hawkins, of North Parade, was repeatedly warned of his behaviour during cross-examination, and was eventually sent out from the court after rolling a cigarette while standing in the dock.

Magistrates found him guilty of handling stolen goods and sentenced him to a 12-month community order, with a four-week curfew from 9pm to 6am. He will also have to carry out up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity and attend a three-month alcohol treatment with North Yorkshire Horizons. He was ordered to pay costs of £250 and a £60 surcharge.

McMinn admitted burglary in September last year and was sentenced to 19 months in prison.