FORMER Solent Stars basketball player Eddie Owusu has avoided a jail sentence for tricking Southampton shop staff with a cloned credit card.

The PE teacher at two London schools left Southampton Magistrates' Court yesterday after being sentenced to 18 months' probation and 80 hours' community service.

Magistrates heard how Owusu, 27, was arrested outside a Southampton store in November after offering a fraudulent credit card in payment for goods. Prosecutor Frank Richardson said the cloned card - manufactured with false details - had been used at stores in Eastleigh and Southampton to buy a DVD player, fax machine and clothing.

Staff at the Argos superstore in West Quay Retail Park were suspicious about the card and alerted police using a radio-link system operating across the city centre.

Owusu was arrested by officers from Southampton police's town-centre unit, who found hundreds of pounds-worth of property in his car.

In an interview, he said he was given the card by someone to whom he owed money.

Owusu, charged under the name of Edward Osei-Owusu, of Stockwell, London, pleaded guilty to obtaining property by deception, going equipped and criminal attempt, with three similar offences taken into consideration.

The court was told he had committed similar credit card offences in 1999, and magistrates were asked for custody to be considered.

David Storey, in mitigation, said Owusu realised he risked jail, which would lead to him losing his teaching job, council accommodation and sporting career.

The court also ordered Owusu to pay £1,038 compensation and £50 costs.

Owusu, a top scorer suspended from Solent Stars since November, has signed with National Division 2 outfit South Bank Bulls.