A JUDGE has slammed as "outrageous" a two-year delay in bringing to trial a Hereford restaurant owner who stashed stolen goods at his home.

Judge Michael Mott said Police had left the case lying in the bottom drawer after interviewing Denny Cheung in July 2001.

He added: "This is not the way the court process should be used."

Cheung, aged 43, of Sudbury Avenue, Hereford, was convicted by a jury at a trial last month of handling stolen goods from two burglaries.

He maintained he was looking after property for a customer he only knew as "Rob".

Judge Mott said he could avoid a jail sentence after reading glowing references which testified to the defendant's importance in the community. He also looked after his elderly parents.

The judge added: "There was an awful lot of stolen property in your house. Perhaps you find it hard to say no to people. Be more careful in the future."

He gave Cheung 240 hours community work and ordered him to pay £1,060 court costs. Police discovered 224 items worth a total of £15,000 which came from raids on Do-it-All in Malvern and Greenwich Resources mining firm in Mathon, Herefordshire.

They included hanging baskets, gas barbecue, lamps, spanners, blinds, 40 packets of parcel string, toilet seat, lawnmower, strimmer, fire extinguisher, geology equipment, computers and mouses, fax machine, scanner, speakers, shredder and a video monitor.

Samantha Powis, defending, said Cheung had worked hard since coming to this country, building up a business.

He was devastated by his offence and overwhelmed by remorse. The man he helped was now in prison.

Cheung was going through a traumatic divorce at the time and was not thinking straight, said Miss Powis. He had allowed a number of people to store property.