A GANG calling itself the "Dines Green Mafia" hijacked a man's car and forced him to drive around Worcester.

Darren Smith was jailed for eight months for a list of offences, including forcing a terrified 17-year-old to ferry him and his mates around the city.

Smith, aged 20, of Selsey Close, Warndon, Worcester, was sentenced at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said Smith and friends cornered their victim at a firework display in Hylton Road, Worcester, on November 4 last year.

Miss Ashton said: "He could hear them shout that they were the Dines Green Mafia. They came over to him, asking for lifts."

Smith was convicted of causing the fear of violence through threatening and abusive behaviour at an ealier hearing.

The victim said in a statement: "They said I should drive them to the shops or they would beat me up. I was alone and scared. I came to an agreement that they would leave me alone if I gave them a lift. They continued their abuse of me and swearing at me."

His ordeal only ended when he drove to his house, sounded the horn and leapt out of the car.

Former heroin addict Smith admitted six other charges, including aggravated vehicle taking, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, failure to surrender to bail and breach of a conditional discharge.

He took a Ford Fiesta on Saturday, March 10, abandoning it in Tintern Avenue, opposite the New Chequers Inn, Astwood, Worcester.

He had been out at Images nightclub in Worcester when he took the car which was left a "write-off".

Smith also asked that magistrates take into consideration a theft when he stole an 18-pack of Carling lager worth £14.99.

The charges put him in breach of a conditional discharge imposed on November 18, 2005 for affray outside McDonald's restaurant in Worcester city centre.

Nick Roberts, defending, said Smith had fallen prey to a heroin addiction and had also been misusing alcohol. He added: "What do you do? The short, sharp shock of prison has had a beneficial effect on first-time offenders."

Mary Child, chairman of the bench, said: "We are imposing custody because of the very serious and unpleasant nature of the fear of violence offence, made worse by the victim having to attend court and give evidence."

As well as an eight-month prison sentence, he was disqualified from driving for two years.