A man found guilty of stealing property from a former rented home has won his appeal against the conviction.

John Barnes, 43, had denied the theft of a washing machine and fridge freezer from a property at Cleator Moor during 2014.

But he was convicted following a magistrates' court trial in April, receiving a fine and compensation order.

However, Mr Barnes lodged an appeal against the conviction and sentence which succeeded at Carlisle Crown Court.

The court heard Mr Barnes rented a property in 2014. Towards the end of his seven-month tenancy period, he asked to buy the two appliances in exchange for the non-return of his deposit.

"He was informed that was not acceptable to the landlord," said lawyer Colette Renton.

After Mr Barnes vacated the property, an inspection revealed the washing machine and fridge freezer - valued at £500 - were missing.

Giving evidence, Mr Barnes - a man of good character - confirmed he asked to buy the appliances, but hadn't received a decision by the time he left.

"The situation was that until I heard back...I couldn't take them, so I didn't," he said.

He instructed a removal firm not to take away those two items. Only later did he realise they had wrongly been transported them to his new address.

Mr Barnes had been - and remained - willing to cover the cost of returning the appliances.

But there had been no handover, and the appliances accompanied him on further house moves.

"I am not using them," said Mr Barnes, of Gwynedd, North Wales. "They are sat in my living room."

Recorder Philip Grundy said he and two magistrates had to be satisfied so they were sure that Mr Barnes had been dishonest and sought to permanently deprive.

"We are not satisfied. We are not sure, and accordingly the appeal is allowed," Recorder Grundy concluded.