A family regained a stolen antique by bidding for it on eBay, a court heard.

When a prospective buyer dropped out, they paid £50 for the Victorian card holder.

And the salesman was detained by police after the item was handed back in a pub on Upper Parliament Street.

A six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, was imposed on Craig Ingle, who admitted acquiring criminal property.

Jon Fountain, prosecuting, said that Ingle's criminal record had 176 entries, including 93 for dishonesty.

He told Nottingham Crown Court the card holder is made of silver and was made in Birmingham in 1901.

Judge James Sampson said the item is "of relatively low value in monetary terms" and that he had decided against immediate prison for Ingle of Lavender Walk, St Ann's.

"I hope this is the turning point," he told Ingle, 45.