A SERIAL bicycle thief was caught after readers spotted him in a Daily Echo appeal.

Michael Stephens stole “high value” bikes from train stations across Dorset and the New Forest – together worth £4,031.

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.

He admitted 12 charges of stealing bicycles at Bournemouth Magistrates Court on Tuesday and asked for one more offence to be taken into consideration.

Stephens, of Leven Avenue in Talbot Woods, stole bikes worth up to £700 from train stations.

Prosecutor Roger Hall told the court: “He clearly must be selling them – who wants 13 bikes?”

The court was told Stephens has similar previous convictions.

District Judge Roger House decided his maximum sentencing power of 12 months was not enough and committed the case to crown court for sentencing on March 9.

Robert Renshaw, defending, said: “He is one of six children and the parents and other siblings have led blameless and industrious lives – Mr Stephens has clearly not done so.”

He added: “Plainly the motivation behind these offences was to feed a drug habit that from time to time has been in abeyance and at others has been increasing.

“He has acknowledged his guilt and he is going to try and sort himself out.”

British Transport Police crime investigator Philip Barbagallo told the Echo after the case: “Cycle thefts accounts for something like 32 per cent of the crime on the railways.

“They are very time consuming to investigate but criminals need to realise we are prepared to go to that time and effort.”

Inspector Mick Morriss said: “Following our appeal in the Daily Echo we were inundated with calls from readers. I would like to pass my thanks to them for coming forward because we were quickly able to identify and arrest Michael Stephens.”

Theft record

• Bournemouth, October 4, 2010, worth £105, belonging to James Benson

• Bournemouth, March 17, 2011, worth £87, belonging to Alys Litter

• Bournemouth, March 17, 2011, worth £580, belonging to Sean Cross

• Bournemouth, March 21, 2011, worth £420, belonging to James Bradwell

• Christchurch, March 21, 2011, worth £270, belonging to William Weston

• New Milton, April 18, 2011, worth £249, belonging to Christopher Everett

• New Milton, August 2011, worth £170

• Brockenhurst, September 8, 2011, worth £700, belonging to Mr Dyson

• Branksome, October 6, 2011, worth £250, belonging to Mr Hayward

• Branksome, October 10, 2011, worth £300, belonging to Mr Smith

• Branksome, October 17, 2011, worth £270, belonging to Mr Bathie

• Christchurch, November 8, 2011, worth £300, belonging to Mr Ramsier

• Salisbury, November 11, 2011, worth £500, belonging to Mr Copsey

Security advice

• Get your bike tagged and register it at www.bikeregister.com

• Ensure you have a solid lock

• Always lock your bicycle through its frame, not just through the wheel

• Fix your bike to solid, immovable objects in recognised cycle storage areas

• Lock your bike in a busy, well-lit and CCTV-covered area