A MAN who pretended he was still selling quad bikes and scooters on Ebay after his business collapsed has been ordered to pay back his victims.

Gary Lodge, 42, set up his internet business two years ago, but started to use payments to manage mounting debts, instead of buying stock to send to customers.

The business folded last year.

Lodge of Button Road, Grays, pleaded guilty to seven counts of being party to carrying out fraudulent business at an earlier hearing.

Speaking at Basildon Crown Court yesterday, Gregory Fishwick, mitigating, said Lodge had since remortgaged his home, which meant he could pay compensation, and his life had been badly affected by the collapse of his livelihood.

He said: “The first his wife was aware of the problem was when the bailiffs knocked on the door.

“It also led to a very serious suicide attempt.”

Judge Christopher Mit-chell, said: “Had he gone into liquidation, rather than trying to keep his head above water, he would have committed no offences.”

Lodge was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £2,830 compensation to his victims within 28 days.

He was also ordered to pay legal costs of £500.