A BEWDLEY man who crashed his car and then lied to police that it had been stolen has been jailed for three months.

Steven Mason, 37, of Runners End, Long Bank, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to perverting the course of justice.

He hit a lamppost on November 17 last year in the early hours after leaving a town pub, said Nicolas Cartwright, prosecuting.

He then left the scene and later reported the car stolen. He kept up the pretence for several weeks but admitted the crime after witnesses identified him.

Adam Western, defending, said father-of-two Mason, who worked delivering fuel, acted dishonestly because he realised his job was on the line.

Judge Peter Stretton, who also banned Mason for 12 months, said he had drunk too much that night and tried to avoid the consequences.