Stephen Lee
Lee faces a 12-year ban. [Eurosport]

Shamed former world number five snooker player Stephen Lee has pleaded guilty to fraud over the sale of his personal cue.

Lee, 39, whose snooker career ended after he was found guilty of match-fixing charges, found himself in the dock again after failing to sell his personal £1,600 snooker cue to a fan on his Facebook page.

Swindon Magistrates' Court heard Marco Fai Pak Shek, based in Hong Kong, paid money into an account belonging to Lee's wife, but the cue was never sent.

Lee, of Birch Gardens, admitted to fraud by false representation and has been fined £1,815.

Mark Glendenning, defending Lee, blamed his career difficulties which "took a great deal of his time and energy".

"There was an intention to send that cue to Hong Kong but things took over and it didn't get there," Glendenning said.

Lee became embroiled in the worse case of snooker corruption after he was found guilty of seven charges of match-fixing in 2008 and 2009, including a World Championship match against Ryan Day, which he went on to lose 10 - 4.

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association said more than £40,000 was paid to his wife's account.

He has since appealed against paying the costs of the investigation, which have now risen to £75,000.