A POLICE officer received £22,500 from the sale of bootleg recordings of concerts given by his hero, Bruce Springsteen.

He sold illicit CD and DVD recordings on eBay and via his own website.

Dewi Jones was said to have been a huge fan of the iconic performer who provided him with solace during a difficult period in his life when he suffered severe depression.

"He says this was his reason for getting out of bed in the morning and he was somebody who gave him an impetus to carry on with his life," prosecutor Ben Blakemore told Swansea Crown Court.

Jones, aged 45, a serving officer with South Wales Police, of Min-y-Coed, Margam Village, admitted two counts of distributing illicit recordings in the course of a business and 10 counts of making illicit recordings for sale without consent. Recorder Peter Rouch QC imposed a 12 months conditional discharge. He issued a confiscation order for £22,527, to be paid within six months with 18 months in prison in default. He also ordered payment of £2,950 in costs.