A mechanic has been fined for an MOT scam which could have left dangerous cars on the streets.

Andrew Larcombe, 41, of Falmer Gardens, Woodingdean, was sentenced for failing to properly test cars.

Larcombe, who admitted issuing MOT certificates to friends without testing their vehicles, was caught after officials launched an investigation.

Larcombe worked as a tester at A Harris Motor Engineers in Woodingdean.

He admitted seven charges of issuing false MOTs .

The court heard they would sometimes drop their cars off at Larcombe's house and push the keys through the letterbox.

They would pick the cars up the same evening, complete with test certificate, and pay about £40.

Officers from the Vehicle Operator Services Agency, the MOT watchdog, staked out the garage in Warren Road for three days last September.

They checked the logbook and found seven cars which had not entered the garage had been issued with MOTs between September 16 and 18, 2003.

Steve Wedd, prosecuting at Brighton Magistrates Court, said: "The defendant's name was known in the trade for people who needed MOTs.

"He claimed he would drive the car to the garage, test it and take it back.

"He said he always did that, except for those three days when he was under inspection.

"He said it was the first time he had given certificates to vehicles he had not tested."

In a letter to the court, Larcombe said: "I take full responsibility for my actions. I feel I will always be paying for my stupidity as I have lost my job."

He said his wife now worked nights while he looked for a job.

He said: "Because of my actions everyone has suffered and for this I am truly sorry."

He was fined £350 and ordered to pay £300 towards court costs.

Larcombe had worked for A Harris since 1988.

His former boss Anthony Harris told The Argus: "I can't believe he could have done it. I'm very disappointed in him.

"After a while we give people a certain amount of trust. We obviously gave him too much trust. We have such a good name - we have been here 30 years."