A MAN is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of two car-ringing charges.

Brian Matthews, 51, was arrested after parts of a stolen Audi TT and a Ford Transit van bearing false plates were found at his home in Green Lane, Smarden

The van had been stolen from Ridge Golf Club, East Sutton, near Maidstone, and the Audi from Paddock Wood railway station earlier that month.

Simon Clarke, prosecuting, told Maidstone Crown Court that Matthews told police the van "just turned up" with a note saying: "Brian, please fit the steering column."

"He noticed the ignition barrel had been broken," said Mr Clarke. "He said he had done no other work other than to change the steering column, sweep it out and wash it.

"But he said he noticed it carried only one registration plate so he went and obtained replacement plates for the front and back."

Mr Clarke said Matthews told the police he found the log book and MoT certificates on the front seat and used them as necessary proof to buy new number plates. He had no idea the van was stolen.

When the officers called at Matthews' home on November 27 last year, they forced open the padlock on a metal shed adjacent to the house.

"Inside was cutting equipment, tools and what was left of the Audi TT, pretty well in bits," Mr Clarke explained.

Matthews said there were only two keys to the shed. One was kept under a brick nearby and the other was lost. He said it wasn't his car and he hadn't put it there."

He also claimed he did not know who was using the shed. He had no idea the Audi was stolen.

Matthews, who has no previous convictions, denied two offences of handling stolen goods and was found guilty of both of them. He is due to be sentenced in the New Year, following the preparation of reports.