A Darlington man admitted he knew a motorbike he was riding must have been stolen.

Gary James Benson, 20, was ordered to complete 180 hours community service after admitting a charge of handling stolen goods.

Newton Aycliffe magistrates heard that Benson's fingerprints were found on a Kawasaki motorcycle stolen on October 22.

Jane Mitford, prosecuting, said the machine had £800-worth of damage to the ignition barrel when it was recovered. She said Benson often rode motorbikes on a dirt lane in the Hundens Lane area of Darlington.

Although he could not remember the particular bike, he admitted he must have ridden it. He said he would have realised it was stolen because it would have been "sheer madness" for anyone to take such an expensive bike to the track.

Benson, of Haughton Road, Darlington, said his fingerprints were on the machine because he had tried to repair the ignition barrel.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community punishment order and ordered him to pay £400 in compensation.