A WORCESTER man who tried to sell stolen goods is turning his life around, a court heard.

Daniel Stretton, of the Hopmarket, claimed he was offered a rare DJ mixing desk worth £1,200 for £50 in June.

The 26-year-old, who is an aspiring rapper with music videos on youtube.com, took the desk to DJ Supplies in Kidderminster where he lied about who owned the equipment and sold it for £350.

After realising that the mixing deck had been stolen the rightful owner, who was known to Stretton through the local music scene, went with police to the Kidderminster store and identified the stolen goods.

At Worcester Magistrates Court Stretton, who had previously admitted handling stolen goods and fraud by false representation, was described as a man “with a lot going for him”.

Paul Stanley, defending, said: “When he was younger he was involved in the drug culture quite severely. But he’s quite clearly turned his life around.

“He’s a man who puts a lot back into the community. He’s undergone surgery in relation to his heroin and cocaine use. He MCs in the community and is involved in the local music scene.”

Stretton was given a 12-month community order for each offence, totalling 50 hours unpaid work.

He was also told to pay £350 compensation to DJ Supplies and £85 court costs.

• Your Worcester News was the only member of the media to attend this hearing.