A MECHANIC who stole trailers worth £8,000 from a council depot was caught when a colleague became suspicious and checked his truck’s tracker.

Chris Lock, of Strawberry Close in Locking Stumps, sold the two trailers for £400, claiming they were being sold off by Bury Council and they were then listed on eBay.

At Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court Lock, the 54-year-old was given a community sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of theft by an employee.

Lock, who worked for the council’s transport department, will be electronically tagged and made subject to a 7pm to 7am curfew for eight weeks and must participate in rehabilitation and alcohol treatment.

The trailers have been returned to the council.