Phillips was 'struggling financially' the court heard

Business studies undergraduate Matthew Phillips, 19, from Bonvilston, used the auction site to sell more than �2,000 worth of counterfeit business software.

Phillips admitted obtaining money by deception and copyright infringement when he appeared before a Cardiff Crown Court judge on Friday.

His father told the court that he would help repay his son's victims.

Karl Williams, defending, said: "This softly spoken and highly intelligent young man was hard up and struggling financially with university".

Cardiff Crown Court heard on Thursday how one buyer William McCormack travelled from Scotland to meet him at a hotel in Bristol.

But as the two drove to Wiltshire, he was left stranded at a service station while Phillips, who had stopped to say he felt sick, drove off with �2,650 in cash.

'Feel the pain'

Prosecutor Byron Broadstock said Mr McCormack later raced Phillips to his home in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Phillips gave him a cheque for �3,150 but the cheque bounced.

The court heard said Phillips had sold one buyer two disks for �170 each, claiming on the website they were genuine and he had manufacturers' certificates to prove it.

"The disks were not genuine but copies," said Mr Broadstock.

"The buyer tried to contact Phillips but to no avail. He contacted police who also tried to get hold of Phillips. Eventually Phillips wrote to the police admitting his guilt."

When arrested, Phillips told police: "I'm sorry - I just can't help it. I'm addicted to it".

Phillips' father John, 54, told the court he knew nothing of his son's activities until the day before he was due in court.

He said: "I come from the days of corporal punishment in school and I believe there should be a way of making him feel the pain for what he has done.

"I want him to suffer so this never happens again."

Mr Phillips also promised to repay his son's victims.

It follows a similar case at Cardiff Crown Court when another eBay fraudster tricked people out of more than �45,000 and spent it on a luxury lifestyle.

But Judge Stephen Hopkins said: "It is important to note that this case does not reflect the seriousness of a recent trial involving eBay fraud.

"Phillips did not use the proceeds of his crimes to lead a lavish lifestyle - he needed the money to pay for his tuition fees".

He was ordered to pay �5,344.45 in compensation to his victims and was given a 150 hour community punishment order.