A £4,000 caravan stolen from a field in Shropshire was spotted by police being towed along a road in Worcestershire two hours later.

The police gave chase because they recognised that Martin Bradley, who was driving the towing vehicle, was disqualified, said Martin Butterworth, prosecuting at Worcester crown court.

Bradley abandoned his Daihatsu and the caravan in a lay-by at Dodford, near Bromsgrove, and rang the police later with a false allegation that his vehicle had been stolen.

Bradley, aged 41, of Redditch Road, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, was jailed for four months after pleading guilty to handling stolen goods and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The caravan belonging to Maxwell Speke was stolen from Sutton Maddock, near Shifnal, on February 25, said Mr Butterworth. On the same day, tools and red diesel was stolen from nearby New House Farm.

When the caravan was abandoned, Bradley's two dogs were found inside plus an amount of stolen dog food. Bradley rang police later to say his Daihatsu had been stolen while he was "lamping" - poaching.

Graeme Simpson, defending, said Bradley was not the thief but had been paid £100 to drive the caravan away. His call to the police was a panic reaction.

Mr Simpson said that Bradley, who had a partner of 17 years and daughters aged 13 and 10, had received threatening letters telling him to keep his mouth shut or his family would suffer.

Bradley had 54 pervious convictions, mainly for dishonesty, and the judge ordered the confiscation of his Daihatsu worth £1,800.