A chef who claims he unwittingly paid £14,000 for a stolen car ran up credit card debts of £32,000 and had a county court judgement for £579 against him, a jury heard.

The prosecution allege that Mohammed Haque did not have the finance to legitimately buy the Mitsubishi Shogun.

Police raided Haque's home last year and seized paperwork, up to 40 files and the vehicle, which was valued at £34,000.

They also found a document which showed the married father-of-two was entitled to £129 a week working families tax credit, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Haque, aged 29, of Drovers Way, Worcester, denies handling the stolen car between January and February last year.

The car was stolen from its owner in Herefordshire in 2000 and three known associates of the defendant were seen driving it the following year before Haque took possession of the vehicle, said Michael Conry, prosecuting

Giving evidence, Haque, a man with no previous convictions, claimed he asked a mechanic friend to look out for a four-wheel drive vehicle for him.

He said he was put in touch with Mohammed Yousaf, of School Lane, Stourbridge, through an advert in Auto Trader and they agreed a price of £14,000.

Haque said he was given the car's documents and obtained insurance. But 11 days later, on February 19, 2002, he was arrested.

He insisted that Mr Yousaf gave him a receipt, although he did not tell police about it. "I was never asked about a receipt," he said. "I was in a state of shock and after that I suffered from depression."

But he produced a piece of paper in court which he described as a legitimate receipt for the 2.8 diesel car.

Haque refused to answer most questions in a second police interview, on the advice of his solicitor.

He agreed he ran up massive credit card debts but claimed he paid some of them off and bought the car after selling a restaurant business in Pershore for £20,000 and remortgaging his home for £20,000.

Haque said he had no inkling the car was a stolen vehicle when he bought it. Police discovered that its number plates had been changed and an identity number removed.

Cross-examined by Mr Conry, Haque confirmed that Mr Yousaf and the men seen driving the car would not be giving evidence to back up his account.

Haque had not contacted Auto Trader about the car advert which, the prosecution insisted, never existed.

The trial continues.