A MONEY-LAUNDERING thief who hid thousands of pounds in his car's spare tyre while posing as a courier has been jailed. Hatfield man Abimbola Bakare was involved in the organised theft of mobile phones, as well as both credit card and cheque fraud. The 28

A MONEY-LAUNDERING thief who hid thousands of pounds in his car's spare tyre while posing as a courier has been jailed.

Hatfield man Abimbola Bakare was involved in the organised theft of mobile phones, as well as both credit card and cheque fraud.

The 28-year-old deliberately infiltrated a Hertfordshire courier firm and posed as a legitimate employee, exploiting company procedures to steal phones by the dozen.

Bakare was arrested by City of London Police in November 2007, after officers seized �10,000 concealed in his Mercedes and another �2,500 in his pocket.

He pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court, last Friday, to two charges of theft, one of handling stolen goods and one charge of possession of articles for use in fraud.

Bakare, of Walsingham Close, was jailed for two years and eight months.

Speaking after the sentencing, temporary detective inspector Nigel Howard said: "This was an extremely pleasing result and it was very rewarding to be able to return funds to the telephone company.