A MAN used a fake Facebook Marketplace profile to commit burglary.

Thomas Anthony Wellman used a fake Facebook profile to arrange to visit an address on Corbin Road so he could view a bike that had been listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

The victim, a man in his 30s, had left the bike in the lean-to ready for the prospective buyer to look at.

After no one arrived, he went to move the bike back into his shed and discovered it was missing.

He went outside and saw a Nissan Micra driving away with the bike in the back.

The vehicle was located a few hours later by officers on Shakespeare Drive, Totton, with Wellman seen walking nearby.

The 25-year-old was arrested after his DNA was found at the scene.

Analysis of his phone data showed that he was in the area of the burglary when it happened and was accessing the fake Facebook account.

He pleaded guilty at Southampton Crown Court on February 7.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court yesterday, Wellman, of Commercial Road, Southampton, was jailed for a total of two years and 10 months.

He was given 18 months for the burglary.

Wellman was also sentenced to 14 months for dangerous driving after he failed to stop for police officers when he drove at 136mph and went the wrong way around a roundabout.

He was given two months two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and one month for breach of bail conditions after he cut his tag off.

Police Staff Investigator Sarah Stewart said: “Your home is somewhere you should feel safe – which is why dwelling burglaries can be so traumatic for those affected, beyond the impact of the belongings that are stolen.

“This sentence shows we will use all the tools at our disposal, including forensics, to bring offenders to justice and I hope it reassures our communities that we take burglary very seriously.

“We want to use this result to remind people that selling online can be dangerous. We would ask sellers to be cautions, and report to us if you’ve been involved in anything that has made you feel uncomfortable or seemed suspicious.

“If someone’s message or profile seems suspicious, trust your instincts and walk away. If possible, try to avoid telling people where you live and instead meet in a public place to buy or sell an item.”