A Worcester man who lied to a jury in a burglary trial with a false confession has been jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to perjury.

Russell Purfield, aged 26, of Clarendon House, London Road, was said to have been put under pressure by the alleged burglar who had approached him in prison.

Kerry Moreton, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court, said Purfield had been called as a defence witness in the trial of Shane Campbell in January last year.

Despite the fact that Campbell's fingerprints were found in the burgled property, he was acquitted after Purfield told the court that he had been the burglar.

Purfield later told police that he had been frightened by Campbell after they met by chance in Blakenhurst prison.

He made the court admission after Campbell told him: "If you want to stay sweet with me, you will have to do what you are told."

Joseph Kieran, defending, submitted that Purfield was a diffident man, of slight build and low self-esteem who had been bullied into making the false confession. Campbell had entered his cell while they were both on remand and had forced Purfield to copy out the false story. Purfield was taken aback when Campbell was acquitted but had later co-operated with police.

Judge Andrew Geddes said that the dishonest behaviour of Purfield, who had 11 previous offences, had led to a substantial miscarriage of justice.