A FORMER second-hand shop owner obsessed with hoarding "low-grade useless goods" has escaped jail.

Anthony Larcombe, 58, of Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, was convicted of eight counts of handling stolen goods.

During his trial in June Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Larcombe's home had been "stuffed to the gunwales" when it was raided by the police last summer.

Prosecutor Justin Gau said: "Goods were piled up in the hallway, sitting-room, kitchen, along the landing and in the bedrooms.

"What the Crown says is that Mr Larcombe was prepared to take stolen goods off anybody, either at considerable discount or for virtually nothing, from people he could not, or would not, name."

Larcombe had denied handling stolen goods between October 1, 2002, and July 1, 2003.

The court heard how his home was searched after the car he was driving was stopped on June 30 last year and amphetamines found. An appeal in the Echo helped trace the owners of 10 items of stolen property recovered from Larcombe's address.

David Pickersgill, defending, said his client suffered from osteo-arthritis and a disability caused by a road accident when he was a teenager.

"He bought items from auctions, fairs and car boot sales. He was essentially a hoarder. It seems quite extraordinary that the stock was found in the quantity it was.

"He now realises his navity and wrongdoing and is remorseful."

Imposing a four-month curfew order yesterday, Recorder Douglas Field said: "You have been convicted of eight counts of receiving stolen goods and, in normal circumstances, a judge would seriously consider custody.

"But, at the end of your trial, I came to the view that you are a hoarder and obsessed with acquiring quite often low-grade useless goods and filling your house with them."

Recorder Field also made a £9,250 confiscation order.

First published: August 13