Former Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion defender Ronnie Wallwork has been jailed for 15 months for selling stolen car parts.
The 34-year old, who has not played professionally since departing Sheffield Wednesday in 2008, was arrested last November when police stumbled across his illegal operation and has now been locked up after he was found guilty.
The Preston Crown Court heard that Wallwork sold on eBay parts from three stolen high-performance vehicles with the goods totaling £43,000and Judge Simon Newell was certain that the former United man knew what he was doing when in possession of the stolen items.
"These were high-value items that were stolen," he said.
"It seems to me they were taken in a professional and sophisticated way. It also seems clear to me that they were taken to go into the black market either to be sold on or broken down and sold on.
"You provided the facility for that to happen. There was an element of organisation and sophistication in what went on."