A MAN stopped on the outskirts of Chester with false number plates and a key code scanner admitted he was going to help a friend steal bicycles.

John Reilly, 27, of Hares Lane, Frodsham, pleaded guilty to going equipped for theft when he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, January 25.

Reilly, who in 2012 was jailed for five years for making counterfeit currency, was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Prosecuting, Rob Youds told the court police stopped Reilly in a Volkswagen on Long Lane, Saughall.

Inside the vehicle they found sets of false number plates and a key code scanner.

When interviewed, Reilly said he was planning on going out to meet a friend of no fixed abode who was to steal pedal cycles in Eastham.

He had three previous convictions for three previous offences.

A probation report heard Reilly had been struggling for money over Christmas after work was struggling. A friend had got in contact with him for a cash-in-hand job to collect the number plates and deliver them.

He was aware the plates were in connection with the theft and felt stupid for that.

He showed remorse for the offence and knew it had massive repercussions.

He had lost his current employment as a result and the car he had used was his father's and he has been told he cannot drive that car again.

Reilly was now looking for work, the court heard.

In Reilly's defence, the court heard he had been working for his father and did not want to apply for benefits as he was determined to find work.

Magistrates ordered Reilly to do 35 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and carry out 150 hours unpaid work.

He must pay a £115 victim surcharge and £85 court costs, while the false number plates and key code scanner were to be forfeited and destroyed.