Trademe used to cheat buyers

A man who used Trademe to cheat people out of hundreds of dollars was sentenced in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday.

William Clark pleaded guilty to three counts of causing loss by deception, and one count of intent to access a computer system for dishonesty.

He told the police he committed the crimes to get money for methadone.

In November last year he found photos online of cellphones and tablets, and used them to advertise products on Trademe he didn't actually have.

Clark "sold" the items for $120, $150, $400, and $420 to different victims, who sent him the money but never received the products, police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Willemsen said.

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Defence lawyer Richard Leith said Clark had no criminal history.

Judge David Cameron sentenced Clark to 250 hours of community work, six months supervision, and ordered him to pay back the money.