A TRANSIT van being photographed for the specialised used-vehicle sales magazine Autotrader became the focus of police attention.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the van had been stolen in Doncaster and fitted with false plates before Christian Lee Grimshaw tried to advertise it for sale.

Grimshaw, 29, of Herbert Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to handling stolen property.

He was fined £150 and ordered to pay £50 costs.

Peter Wilde, prosecuting, said Grimshaw initially told police the van was his but then said it belonged to a friend who had asked him to sell it.

Sarah Perkins, defending, said Grimshaw did not know the van was stolen but accepted that he should have made more inquiries when asked to handle the advertising.

She said the friend had promised to give Grimshaw £50 when the vehicle was eventually sold.