A TEENAGER who used his account to try and clear a bogus cheque for nearly £9,000 has walked free from court after a judge decided he was being used by more serious criminals.

Clinton Young, of Penhill Drive, was ordered to perform 60 hours of community service when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court. He had admitted allowing the cheque, which had been stolen and altered, to be paid into his Barclays Bank account in July.

But the fraud was spotted in the clearing process and when the 19-year-old tried to withdraw the cash in one lump sum he was arrested.