A MAN who acted as a decoy for a raid on a Vale of Evesham riding school has been jailed for two years.

Peter Goodwill went to owner Joan Bomford and lied that he had collided with one of her horses.

They walked together down a lane - but he then jumped into a van and reversed at her, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Mrs Bomford, aged 68, had to leap into a ditch to avoid being hit and sank up to her thighs in water, said Gareth Walters, prosecuting. When she returned shaken to Moyfield Riding School, South Littleton, she discovered property worth £1,500 missing, along with £500 pension money.

While Goodwin, aged 28, of Honeybourne Road, Bidford, had distracted Mrs Bomford, two accomplices broke into the property through a back door and rifled rooms.

Mr Walters said Mrs Bomford first came across Goodwin, who admitted burglary, in her conservatory on October 10 last year.

After they walked down the lane together to look for the "injured" horse, he suddenly said he had to get away. He then reversed at great speed towards her before driving off.

Mrs Bomford's brother was alerted by mobile phone and gave chase, but lost Goodwin who drove at speeds up to 80mph to get away.

He was stopped while driving through Offenham a few days later and was arrested.

David Iles, for Goodwin, said he was put under pressure by others to take part in the burglary.

He had let down his father, a cancer sufferer, and his three-year-old daughter was facing a number of eye operations.