Man jailed for cheating online auction users

A Timaru man has been sentenced to six months in prison for cheating users of online auction site Trade Me out of more than $1000 worth of goods.

Shannon John Gregory Bryant, 24, appeared in Timaru District Court yesterday for sentence on a charge of accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes, the Timaru Herald reported.

Judge Michael Crosbie said at the heart of the online trading system was the trust between the buyer and vendor, and the major factor in this offence was the breach of trust.

Last July Bryant ran two auctions, selling a PlayStation 3 worth $550, and an Xbox 360 with games, worth $510. Neither were able to be supplied.

On both occasions Bryant supplied his bank account details for the payments to be made but then made no further contact after the money had been deposited .

Bryant was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and ordered to pay reparation through weekly instalments.

- NZPA