A TEENAGER used an internet auction site to sell mobile phones he did not even own, a court heard.

Daniel Rowntree was branded a "loser" by magistrates after it was revealed he made £1,408 by tricking online shoppers into paying for products which they would never receive.

All thought they were buying Apple iPhones through the eBay website. They all paid for the items, but the phones never arrived.

The 18-year-old, of Pierremont Crescent, Darlington, pleaded guilty to the theft of £400 at Darlington Magistrates' Court.

He also asked for three similar charges to be taken into consideration.

The thefts took place in July last year, when Rowntree advertised the iPhones for sale for prices ranging from £280 to £400.

Ciaran Grogan, prosecuting, said the matter was referred to the police by Rowntree's unhappy customers.

"The defendant didn't have the items in question, and he used the money for other purposes," he said. "He says he used the money partly to buy Apple products."

Robert Willoughby, mitigating, said Rowntree was using a technique known as "drop-shipping", where sellers advertise goods they have yet to buy.

"What he says is that in this case he tried to buy the iPhones from America, but unfortunately when he received them he found they were fake. He had been duped himself."

Mr Willoughby said Rowntree had since found employment as a stable hand and had made arrangements repay his victims in full.

Chair of the bench David Raine said: "You have been very unwise to take this risk.

"There are always winners and losers, and in this case you are the loser.

"Let this be a strong warning to you."

As well as compensating his victims, Rowntree was also told to pay the costs of the case, £85. He will also serve a 12 month conditional discharge.