A COURT has heard how a man took a £6,000 electric mountain bike out for a test ride - and never returned.

Francis Thomas Charlesworth landed himself in court after the 'opportunistic' theft of the electric bike from a cycling superstore.

The 45-year-old defendant admitted that he stole the bike - worth £6,19.99 - from Wheelbase in Staveley, near Windermere.

South Cumbria Magistrates' Court heard how he travelled from his home in Woodfarm Hey, Liverpool to, buy a bike on August 22, having researched where to buy one on the internet.

The court heard that the defendant intended to buy the bike on finance and was 'surprised' when he was offered at test ride.

Solicitor Michael Graham said the theft was 'opportunistic' and not planned.

After he took the bike police stopped Charlesworth for a separate issue and discovered the bike, knowing one had been stolen.

Charlesworth was sentenced to an eight-week curfew for the offence and will have to stay at home between 6pm and 8am until November 18.

The defendant was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and costs of £85.