A WOULD-BE fraudster was arrested after a police officer hidden in the back of a van watched him sign for delivery of computer equipment bought using another person's credit card details.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ian Michael Ryan was on the periphery of an organised series of deceptions involving credit cards and had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Ryan, 26, of Porchester Close, Crawley, West Sussex, pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain a printer and a scanner by deception in November 1999 in Great Harwood where he then lived.

He was fined £120 with £75 costs.

Philip Potter, prosecuting, said the police officer watched the delivery driver go to the correct address, where there was a note pinned to the door.

Ryan came out of the house next door and said he was there to sign for the delivery.

Adrian Williams, defending, said Ryan had left the area after being bailed by the police and had tried to make a new life for himself in London.

He had initially lived on the streets before finding a job working for a courier company.

He also worked as a second chef at a local pub and had a steady relationship with a woman who is expecting his child.

"There were two other men involved in this deception and a series of other offences," said Mr Williams.

"My client had no knowledge of the range of activities the other two were involved in and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time."