A 25-YEAR-OLD man caught driving a £16,000 Vauxhall car belonging to a Brierley Hill firm just 72 hours after it had been stolen has been allowed to keep his freedom.

Carl Rogers was spotted with the car which was stolen from an employee of J.Barnsley Cranes in the Shifnal area and arrested by police, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Judge Nicholas Webb told him: "You do have a record for various offences but this is the most serious offence you have committed and I hope it will be the last."

He said Rogers had told lies to police officers when he was pulled over but it was clear no effort had been made to disguise the stolen vehicle.

Rogers, of Victoria Road, Acocks Green, admitted handling the stolen car and was given a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years.

He was further placed on supervision for 18 months, ordered to obey a four-month curfew between the hours of 8pm and 6am and to pay £300 costs.