Mold: 20-year-old stole bike during Facebook Marketplace sale

A 20-year-old man has been sentenced after stealing an electric motorbike during a sale arranged via Facebook Marketplace in Mold.

James Marsh, of Deacon Road, Widnes, visited the seller’s home on 10 July to view the motorbike, which was listed for £2,500.

During the meeting, Marsh claimed to have transferred the payment while the seller demonstrated how the bike worked. However, the funds never arrived.

Marsh left a phone with the seller, claiming it would act as a guarantee while he took the bike for a test drive, but he failed to return.

Shortly afterwards, he wiped the Facebook account used to arrange the sale.

Following his arrest, Marsh was charged with theft and motoring offences.

Appearing before Mold Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 17 December, he received a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £2,300 in compensation to the victim and received six points on his driving licence for driving without insurance.

Sergeant Kerry Nash from North Wales Police highlighted the case as a cautionary tale for those using online platforms for private sales.

“This case is a reminder of the risks of selling items online,” she said. “Whenever you’re planning to buy or sell items, it’s always advisable to use official sales websites, and always pay via a recommended payment site, otherwise if something goes wrong you may not be able to recover your money.”

The incident highlights the importance of exercising caution when arranging sales through social media platforms.