A thief who stole bikes worth £3,700 has avoided jail.

But Daniel Lloyd could be paying back the victim for the next 15 years.

The 23-year-old took two Marin mountain bikes worth £1,200 and a Ford Cayo road bike worth £2,500 from a garage on Byron’s Lane, Macclesfield, between February 10 and 12.

Lloyd, of Lapwing Lane, Stockport, was caught and appeared in front of magistrates in Macclesfield on March 11 where he admitted the theft.

He was given an 18 prison sentence for two years and a two year community order with supervision from the probation service.

But Lloyd was also ordered to pay back the victim every penny for the stolen bikes. Magistrates accepted his offer to pay back the £3,700 in compensation at a rate of £20 per month.

At the current rate it will Lloyd more than 15 years until the debt is settled.