A former city Labour MP fell victim to a phone scam, in which an HTC smart phone was to be delivered to his St Albans home.

St Albans crown court heard how Nigerian-born Oladele Ajetomobi, 39, was spotted loitering outside Kerry Pollard’s home in Cottonmill Lane by two police officers, who arrested him before he could intercept a Phones 4u courier and make off with the phone.

Kevin West, prosecuting, said that when police examined Ajetomobi’s computer they found it contained the names, addresses, dates of birth and the credit card numbers of 78 people including Mr Pollard.

Searches had been made on the computer to establish the credit rating of people who lived in that area of St Albans.

He added that when officers asked Ajetomobi what he was doing outside Mr Pollard’s home, he said he was there to pick up a parcel for a man called Mark.

However he later said he was there to meet a girl he had contacted over Facebook.

Ajetomobi, of Fieldfare Road, Thamesmead, London, pleaded guilty to possessing material for use in fraud on February 14 last year.

He had four previous convictions for six offences, four of which were fraud.

Defending Suzannah Brooke said Ajetomobi’s immigration status means he has been unable to work.

She said that Ajetomobi, who lives with his partner and their three children, will be able to get a job when his eldest child turns 10 in December of this year.

She added that Ajetomobi, who had been a plumber in Nigeria, was “trying to gain money to get on a course” and was “remorseful for what he (had) done”.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said Ajetomobi had been “thoroughly dishonest.”

He told him: “You are subject to immigration controls and are not entitled to work until December. I hope you can find an honest living as soon as possible.”

He passed a 30 week jail sentence suspended for a year with a curfew between 7pm and 7am for the next three months.

Ajetomobi will be supervised by probation officers for the next six months and carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work.