A CROOK sold an electric scooter for a quick profit just weeks after leasing it.

Lee Millington was looking for a quick way to make money last year when he took the £1,200 electric scooter into Cash Mart in Basildon, selling it for £200.

However, the 38-year-old of McKenzie Close, Wickford, had no permission to sell the bike, having leased it from Active Cycling Projects for six months just a couple of weeks prior.

Millington sold the scooter in January 2020, and at the same time was being investigated for breaching a restraining order against his ex-partner.

He later admitted theft and fraud having been found out by Active Cycling Projects in July 2020, along with breaching the order.

At his sentencing at Basildon Crown Court, Simon Connolly, prosecuting, said that Millington had come from Cheshire but moved out of the area after his relationship ended in 2019.

He said: “He sent messages on WhatsApp and caused further harassment. She did respond knowing he was out of the area but was anxious, but in August she told him to stop. By October she had completely stopped replying, but they started to become abusive.

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“He started sending messages to family members.

“On Christmas Day in 2019 he said he wanted to see his son and the son would ‘hate her’ if she didn’t allow it.

“He was reported and taken to Basildon Police Station in February 2020.

“He claimed that the restraining order was not in force.

“He was released on bail and it was made clear the order was still in place.

“Within days he had liked an image of the victim on Facebook.

“On April 3, three further messages on her phone believed to be from March 31, which would have been on the son’s birthday.”

Mitigating, Cathryn Sutcliffe said Millington claimed the ex-partner was not allowing him to see his son, but he now realised his actions were wrong.

Recorder Paul Sharkey gave Millington ten months jail suspended for two years, plus 100 hours unpaid work.

He must also pay £200 compensation to both Cash Mart and Active Cycling Projects.