A BRIERLEY Hill man who used the internet site Ebay to con people out of cash has avoided jail.

Daniel Morgan, aged 21, scammed users of the auction webite by offering them non-existent mobile phones and electronic games.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday February 26, he was given a 26 week jail term suspended for two years.

Judge Martin Walsh told Morgan the Ebay internet auction site was a service designed to help people and added: "It is undermined by this sort of offending."

Michael Anning, prosecuting, told the hearing Morgan persuaded successful bidders on Ebay to send money for the items he pretended to have on sale direct to his bank account instead of using the secure PayPal system.

He added items put onto the market by Morgan who had financial problems just did not exist.

Morgan of Ambleside Drive admitted eight charges of making a false representation - involving goods valued at a total of £1,800.

Neil Williams, defending, said Morgan committed the offences because he was "substantially in debt."

The court was told Morgan, who was also ordered to carry out 240 hours community punishment and hit with a three month curfew order, had a previous conviction for theft - an offence that also involved Ebay.

Mr Anning said Morgan also pocketed money from a friend that was supposed to be invested in a business the pair were considering launching.

The Judge told Morgan: "You were prepared to sell items that did not exist and persuade people not to use PayPal."