Man made false theft claim after friend destroyed Aston Martin sports car

James Hart, 68, allowed a friend to drive his black Aston Martin Vantage, which he had bought for more than £40,000, on March 4 last year.

However, the car was crashed and abandoned on the bank of a dyke in March Road, near Wisbech, where it was later found by police.

As the friend was on his own insurance policy, he was only covered third party and when Hart tried to claim on his own insurance he was told he was not covered.

Hart, of West End, March, then called police and reported it stolen.

He was arrested for perverting the course of justice, which he pleaded guilty to last month.

On Friday at Cambridge Crown Court, Hart was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, ordered to undertake 25 days of rehabilitation activity, had a curfew imposed on him (6pm to 6am) for four months and was ordered to pay £1, Man made false theft claim after friend crashed car 200 in costs.

PC Matt Smart said: “Hart has not gone to prison but he will have the prospect of prison hanging over him for two years, as well as the curfew and costs.

“He took a risk and when it went wrong he tried to get out of it by lying. However, there was clear evidence the car had not been stolen.

“We have had other cases where people have falsely claimed their cars have been stolen so I hope this demonstrates how seriously it is treated.”