A man who was given a stolen watch tried to hide it with his sleeve when police called to investigate a burglary at a house in Exeter.
Derek Woods knew the watch was stolen and was found with another item from the same raid hidden under his bed at a hostel.
Woods, aged 30, of Smythen Street, Exeter, admitted handling stolen goods and was jailed for four months, suspended for two years and ordered to pay a £80 victim surcharge by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, at Exeter Crown Court.
Mr David Bowen, prosecuting, said items including the watch and an ornate Chinese box were stolen during a burglary at Cowick Lane, Exeter, on March 3.
He said:"Two days later his home was searched and on his wrist was found the watch, which he tried to hide from police. Officers also found a decorated Chinese box under his mattress.
"He was arrested and the items were identified by the loser. He made no comment to police. The man who carried out the burglary received an eight month suspended sentence."
Mr Jeremy Harris, defending, urged the Judge to give Woods credit for his guilty plea and take into account the sentence received by the man who carried out the original offence.
