MEMBERS of a car theft gang met up with a buyer outside shops to sell their stolen goods, a court heard.

Three youngsters from the Whitehawk Estate-based group of youngsters met an undercover officer called Mo to sell a red Ford Focus, a jury was told at Hove Trial Centre.

Henry King, 18, who is standing trial accused of conspiracy to convert criminal property, is accused of meeting with the undercover officer with two 17-year-olds in Whitehawk Way, Brighton, on January 5.

Covert video footage showed one of the teenagers slumped in the front seat of a van smoking a cigarette as he directed Mo to Camber Close for the exchange, stopping in Selmeston Place for a police car to pass.

King and the other boy were shown clambering into the back of the van onto the footage shown to the jury. "Mo" was eagerly told how the red Ford Focus he was about to see had only "500 [miles]" on the clock.

King, of Ninfield Place, and co-defendant Marcus Nye, 22, of Whitehawk Way, both deny conspiracy to convert criminal property. Eight other defendants, including the two teenagers captured in the footage, pleaded guilty before prior to the start of the case.

The court was told how King lifted the boot to reveal a black hold-all with a red Hewlett Packard laptop , as well as a silver Advent laptop. It is alleged that both laptops were stolen. The court heard how"Mo" was shown a Tesco Hudl tablet by another member of the group and also found a jar containing cheques, a handbag and a disabled badge belonging to Lewis Foy in the bag. The undercover policeman negotiated £350 down from £600 for the car.

Jonathan Edwards, prosecuting, said a covert police operation over four months observed the gang trying to sell stolen property valued at £209,000.

Charles Crinion, defending Nye, said someone else had used his name and he was not involved in the ring.

Pamela Rose, defending King, claimed "Mo" was wrong in his account of the events, having confused which person opened the boot and spoke about stolen property as it was dark during the exchange on a winter afternoon and he only momentarily saw King. She said he was present but was not involved, standing at the side of the car.

On the witness stand the undercover policeman dismissed the suggestions, insisting his account and notes were accurate. But he also accepted he could not identify King when comparing a picture of him with that of another defendant, who remains anonymous due to his age.

The trial continues.