A PROLIFIC cycle thief who was caught after readers spotted him in a Daily Echo appeal has been given a 12-month community order.

Michael Stephens of Leven Avenue, Bournemouth pleaded guilty to 12 cycle thefts across Dorset and the New Forest with a further twelve offences also taken into consideration.

He was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday where he was also given a supervision order, requiring him to take drug testing twice a week.

The 37-year-old was recognised by Echo readers after British Transport Police released CCTV pictures last May.

He was arrested and went on to commit more offences but was then spotted by a Poole police officer with a bike on a train.

Stephens stole bikes worth up to £700 from train stations including Branksome, Christchurch, Bournemouth, New Milton, Brockenhurst and Salisbury between October 2010 and November 2011.

Detective Constable Matt Bevan said: “Once we discovered that the same man was responsible for several thefts we quickly issued CCTV images through the local media and asked for the public’s help to identify him.

“Following the appeal numerous people called us with information and most crucially, a name, allowing us to identify and track down Michael Stephens in connection with the thefts.”

He added: “Michael Stephens’ actions caused enormous inconvenience and real upset to the victims, who were not only hit financially by the thefts but were forced to make alternative arrangements for travelling to and from their homes until replacement cycles could be purchased.

“I’d also like to pass my thanks on to the members of the public who came forward with information because it was as a direct result of their help that we were able to quickly identify and arrest Stephens.”

Stephens’ supervision order will be reviewed by a judge at Bournemouth Crown Court on April 13 and then 20 weeks later.