A TEENAGER who bought two motorbikes from a ‘bald Irish man in a white van’ has been convicted of handling stolen goods – after prosecutors argued he must have known they’d been nicked.

Brandon Balchin was living in South Kinson Drive, West Howe when a stranger pulled up and asked for £40 for the two bikes.

A court heard this week that the owners of the motorbikes had paid a combined £2,900 for them.

However, both were in a poor state, with exposed wires and visible damage.

Balchin, who was just 17 at the time, bartered the van man down to £30 for both and put them in the back garden of his home.

Days later, police visited the property – and seized both the Honda and the Keeway.

It later transpired that the Honda, which belonged to Kevin McLeod, had been stolen twice within hours.

It was initially taken from his home in Boscombe before being badly damaged and left in Hamilton Road. Mr McLeod arranged to have it collected himself – but it was stolen yet again before it could be picked up by recovery teams.

On Thursday, Balchin, now 18 and of Vicarage Road, Bournemouth, appeared for trial at Poole Magistrates’ Court after denying the charge against him. He was convicted of the offence by District Judge Stephen Nicholls.

He was not charged with any offence relating to the theft of either of the vehicles.

Jessica Price, prosecuting, said the defendant told police an “Irish male in his 30s” pulled over in South Kinson Drive before asking Balchin and his friends if they wanted to buy two motorbikes.

Balchin, who had some experience stripping down bikes for parts, agreed to buy both. He noticed wiring was exposed, but said had never seen a hot-wired bike before.

He asked the seller for documentation which the van man said would be returned to him, it was heard.

Balchin also told the court he didn’t realise the licence plate of one had been tampered with, and black electrical tape used to alter the details.

Ms Price said: "There were wires hanging out, and you tell us, 'That didn't concern me'.

"The registration plates had been tampered with, and you say, 'I didn't notice'.

"You secured two motorbikes for £30 and you didn't think that was suspicious or dodgy."

Balchin was sentenced to a community order, under which he must carry out a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and complete 70 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation and £100 costs.